Training Grant in Transfusion Medicine

Emory University, Atlanta GA

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

This competitive renewal NRSA application (T32 HL69769, “Training Grant in Transfusion Medicine”) requests continued support to maintain the effective and productive transfusion medicine research training fellowship at Emory University. Research in transfusion medicine is vital for advancing the field and optimizing outcomes for recipients of transfusion and cellular therapies. The Emory Center for Transfusion and Cellular Therapies (CTCT) is one of the largest and most comprehensive academic transfusion medicine programs in the nation and is devoted to excellence in clinical service, outstanding basic, translational and clinical research, as well as the clinical and research-based training of future leaders in the field. This T32 Training Grant in Transfusion Medicine for post-doctoral scientists is a critical element in both contributing to, and fulfilling the mission of, the Emory CTCT. This program was initially funded in 2004, and renewed in 2009, 2014, and 2019. We are now applying for a fourth renewal to commence in April 2025. To date, 19 fellows have successfully completed the program, with one currently in training and another designated to begin in April 2024. Additional candidates have been identified to begin their fellowships in 2025, contingent upon renewed funding. As outlined in this application, this training program and our T32 fellows have been highly successful as evidenced by manuscript publications, faculty appointments, grant support, and positive evaluations from the Steering Committee. If funding is renewed, this grant will continue to provide salary support for two post-doctoral CTCT trainees annually for a 5-year period, enabling them to engage in a highly structured, mentored training program focused in transfusion medicine and cell therapy research. Through this program, we aim to fill the widely- acknowledged need for basic, translational, and interdisciplinary research training in transfusion medicine so that future specialists have the skill sets to address the pressing issues in transfusion, cell therapy, and transplantation over the next decades. Program strengths previously identified by reviewers include: the organization of the training plan as a small-scale program emphasizing high-quality candidates and research projects; the involvement of senior faculty preceptors with strong mentoring, publication, and funding records; specific mechanisms for educating fellows and externally evaluating outcomes; academic successes of the previously-supported fellows; and the commitment of the Program Directors to the success of this fellowship. These strengths are carried forward into the present competitive renewal application, and when possible improved upon (eg, fellow and program evaluations). The Program Directors greatly appreciate the funding that has been provided to support this important training effort, and the time and effort volunteered by the reviewers in evaluating this Fellowship.