Molecular Biophysics Training Grant

University Of Virginia, Charlottesville VA

Investigators

Abstract

The Molecular Biophysics Training Grant (MBTG) program at the University of Virginia (UVA) will train the next generation of biophysicists to advance science at the cross-roads of biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics. The program will support exceptional students from the School of Medicine, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at UVA. Our core mission is to cross-train students in multi-disciplinary approaches to unravel mechanistic principles underlying biological systems. Cross-training will expand trainee education far beyond what can be accomplished in a single laboratory or a specific degree program. In addition to training in the fundamentals of biophysics, our trainees will be cross-trained in complementary disciplines to develop a holistic research approach. We intend to recruit students in their second year of PhD training, after they have selected a lab and begun to develop their thesis projects. While we expect that some MBTG students will be drawn from UVA’s successful Biophysics PhD program, our plan is designed to maximize the variety of training backgrounds and research interests; thus, any top student compatible with our overall goals will be eligible for support. The program will formalize a coherent training program in biophysical principles and practice, while also providing the framework and tools for cross-training in disciplines relevant to individual student scientific interests. These student-centered, individualized training plans will balance trainee scientific aspirations with the rigorous standards of the MBTG. We will promote a rigorous training environment that emphasizes scientific excellence, safety, and accountability. Career development activities will be provided in collaboration with the School of Medicine and the UVA Office of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs. These institutional activities will be complemented with cohort-building MBTG-specific activities to foster student-to-student cross-training and hone communication, organization, and leadership skills. MBTG faculty mentors are world renowned experts and share a passion for excellence in science as well as a commitment to mentorship. We will continuously monitor the quality and outcomes of our training program. Our alumni are exceptionally successful in securing professional positions in the biomedical research sector. Their sustained interactions with UVA provide a rich source of information for current trainees to guide career development decisions.