Training Program in Childhood Neuropsychiatric Disorders

Yale University, New Haven CT

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

Modified Project Summary/Abstract Section This is an application for a 5-year renewal of the Yale University’s T32 Training Grant "Training Program in Childhood Neuropsychiatric Disorders" (T32 MH018268). Our program focuses on preparing scientists, in both clinical and basic sciences, for independent, field-leading careers focused on childhood neuropsychiatric disorders. Training programs like ours are urgently needed given: 1) the large number of children affected by or at risk to develop major mental illnesses; 2) the societal burden of care; 3) the limited efficacy and effectiveness of available treatment and prevention programs; 4) a shortage of investigators in the field; and 5) the emergence of relevant scientific and technological advances that have yet to be fully realized. Over the past 40 years, we have recruited 125 T32 Postdoctoral Fellows. Uniquely, this T32 program has been fully united with a highly successful six-year integrated child, adolescent and adult research and clinical residency training program in child psychiatry (IRTP) since the IRTP program’s inception in 2004. Since alignment with the integrated residency research training program, we have been especially successful in recruiting young researchers with MD degrees (48%) into this postdoctoral T32 program. In the last 15 years, 94% percent of the trainees completed their T32 Fellowship training. A majority of trainees, 80% continue to be actively involved in research. Most trainees have published multiple peer-reviewed papers, and many trainees have obtained numerous independent research grants and career development awards. Their work has garnered international acclaim and many of our graduates are leading figures in their respective fields. We continue to include explicit training in team science. We believe this training will augment the success of our trainees, reorienting the culture of the academic institution to better support, greater reward, and an enhanced quality of mentorship in clinical and translational research. We will continue to place a major emphasis on career development by providing individual mentoring along with experiential training in team science, complemented by didactic activities. A personalized training plan is developed for each trainee early during the course of the Fellowship and is monitored closely throughout. Additional features include writing support, guidance on work-life balance, and co-mentorship across disciplines.