Childhood Diabetes and Adiposity Research Training (C-DART)

University Of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison WI

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Abstract

Enter the text here that is the new abstract information for your application. This section must be no longer than 30 lines of text. The goal of the Childhood Diabetes and Adiposity Research Training program (C-DART) is to prepare post-doctoral physician and PhD scientists for productive careers in clinical, translational, or basic research in prevention or treatment of type 1 and 2 diabetes and other metabolic consequences of obesity. The training program has evolved during the current funding period by augmenting research training of MD physician scientists with successful recruitment of an outstanding PhD trainee. C-DART has also applied Team Science Learning Points to formally, critically evaluate and modify training program components. Insulin resistance, strongly associated with ectopic fat deposition, is a major health problem in children, and rates of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes continue to rise in the pediatric population. Accordingly, C-DART trainees begin a research career ranging from molecular/cellular study of pancreatic islet biology and insulin resistance to whole body pathophysiology of childhood adiposity to prevention/treatment of childhood obesity in ethnically diverse youth to, finally, optimizing use of rapidly advancing technological and pharmacological therapeutics for childhood obesity, Type 1, and Type 2 diabetes. Training objectives include 1) establishing quality and productive research projects, 2) developing a record of peer-reviewed publications, and 3) transitioning to successful research- focused academic careers for 80% of graduates, with most of those submitting proposals for extramural funding during T32 tenure such as NIH K series (or similar) to continue their research careers. To achieve these objectives, a research Capstone Certificate curriculum developed in collaboration with the NIH-funded UW Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (UW-ICTR) provides training in research techniques, statistics and study design, responsible conduct of research, and scientific writing and presentation skills. The rising burden of diabetes and other obesity-related metabolic disorders, the strong 15-year record of accomplishment of our T32-supported trainees, and a scarcity of young basic and clinical science researchers with childhood obesity and diabetes training prompt us to seek continued funding for the C-DART program. The importance of sustaining successful pediatric endocrinology research training programs like C-DART is magnified by a serious shortage of young physician scientists committing their careers to care of children with obesity and diabetes. Since the inception of thisT32, 12 of 14 fellows obtained, upon graduation or soon after, faculty appointment opportunities that include research activities and innovative program development in pediatric diabetes, fitness, and obesity at academic medical schools. During the proposed renewal funding period, C-DART will continue utilizing existing resources and new strategies to recruit the most qualified trainee candidates. The program will continue to build collaborations with new potential mentors engaged in innovative and cutting-edge science to provide state-of-the-art mentored training for productive research careers in childhood diabetes, insulin resistance and obesity.