Predoctoral Training in Basic Neuroscience

University Of Pittsburgh At Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh PA

Investigators

Abstract

This application requests funds for an integrated basic neuroscience training program at the University of Pittsburgh. This is a new training grant application to replace one that expired last year (T32 NS07433) after running for 25 years and had been successful in recruiting and training high quality predoctoral students in neuroscience. Funds are requested to support 8 graduate students in their second year in the Center for Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh (CNUP); these 8 students represent the top eligible trainees in the CNUP doctoral program. The program described in this application provides research training in the laboratories of a large and diverse neuroscience training faculty. Students begin laboratory research immediately upon entering the program and rotate through within at least two laboratories, for one term each, in their first year. The training faculty, consisting of 66 faculty from the CNUP, offers expertise in neuroscience that ranges from cellular and molecular to developmental to systems to perception and cognition, supporting students in a wide breadth of neuroscience. In addition to research, students take a series of two intensive one-term core courses in basic neuroscience, three elective courses in neuroscience or related areas, and courses in statistics, experimental design and data analysis, and grant writing. Trainees also participate actively in a variety of seminars and journal clubs as well as professional development workshops that provide explicit training in professional skills including written and oral communication, obtaining jobs and grants, teaching, and managing a research lab. Additionally, training in responsible scientific conduct is an integral part of the core curriculum and is established from the beginning in a course for first year students. Throughout their time in the program, students are encouraged to consider a range of employment opportunities within which to apply their research skills, and a variety of our professional development mechanisms permit them to become familiar with employment both within and outside of traditional academic research universities. A rigorous structure exists to mentor the trainees and monitor their progress through the program. Students complete a series of milestones, including the first-year reprint exam, a second-year research evaluation, and a grant proposal-based comprehensive exam in the third year, prior to submitting a thesis proposal and progressing to full-time thesis research. Each student has an advising committee to see them through these milestones and assist with their mentoring. Data are presented to document to support the assertion that we recruit outstanding trainees and provide them with excellent training.