Diabetes and Related Metabolic Diseases

Washington University, Saint Louis MO

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

The long-term objective of this competitive renewal application is to train exceptional diabetes scientists capable of leveraging the latest research tools to decrease suffering from diabetes. The program trains MD, PhD, and MD PhD scientists for 2 to 3 years through mentored research and structured activities that are seamlessly integrated with basic science departments, clinical departments, and centers in the context of considerable institutional support. It is the only T32 program at Washington University focused on diabetes. Continually evolving in response to self-assessment and external reviews, the training program features strengths that include: A) Research facilities and a research environment encompassing the Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences (Washington University CTSA), the NIDDK-supported Diabetes Research Center (DRC) and Nutrition Obesity Research Center (NORC), as well as extensive additional resources. B) A required core curriculum in diabetes science in addition to required supplemental courses that include training in Rigor and Reproducibility and in the Responsible Conduct of Research, provided at no cost to trainees. C) Administrative support to facilitate interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary research training. D) Addition of a third program director with expertise in beta cell biology and mentoring to complement two successful program directors with strong training records and extensive research backgrounds, all with significant commitment of effort. E) 35 preceptors focused on diabetes and related metabolic diseases. Over the past 10 years, this group has trained >320 postdoctoral fellows of whom 84% have continued in research. Each of the mentors participates in one or more components of this training program, and this group has considerable external research support (average current year support ~$1,134,257/preceptor). F) New required mentoring training adopted in response to program evaluations. G) Highly competitive pools of PhD and clinical degree trainees. All available postdoctoral positions have been filled over the past 15 years and the program completion rate is 93%. H) Anonymous feedback from current and former trainees indicating substantial satisfaction with the training program over the most recent funding period. I) Successful training record in terms of publications, competing for grant support, and remaining in research or research-related careers. J) An integrated short-term research program for medical students coordinated through the Washington University DRC. Overall, this training program prepares a talented group of scientists across the translational spectrum to exert a sustained influence on research in diabetes and related metabolic diseases.