Research Training Program in Metabolism, Obesity and Diabetes

University Of Colorado Denver, Aurora CO

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract The problems of obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) are some of the most common conditions affecting Americans. There is a critical need to train the next generation of MD/DO and PhD investigators who will address these public health challenges with innovations in basic, clinical and translational sciences. We believe that the University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus (UCAMC) is well positioned to provide the training needed to produce the next generation of scientists addressing these areas. We are seeking continuing support for 4 positions (2 post-doctoral trainees to be supported for 2 years each) in the Research Training Program in Metabolism, Obesity and T2DM (RTPMOD) at the UCAMC. The strength of the RTPMOD lies the outstanding faculty, state of the art facilities and programs at the UCAMC and a robust pipeline of applicants. The 25 members of the Training Faculty are productive well-funded investigators, many of whom are nationally recognized leaders in their fields of study who collectively have $16.5 million in current research funding (direct costs current year). The UCAMC is host to the Colorado Clinical Translational Science Institute, the Colorado Nutrition Obesity Research Center, the Denver Diabetes Research Center and the Anschutz Health & Wellness Center to name just a few of the resources that will support the requested training. Over the last 4 years of this first cycle of the new RTPMOD, 8 postdoctoral fellows have been supported. Two received F32 awards and 2 received K awards. All remain in research related or research-intensive positions. Two are Assistant Professors. Applicants for the RTPMOD come from a range of clinical fellowship programs at UCAMC, our clinical Obesity Medicine Fellowship, and the Physician Scientist Training Program track within our Internal Medicine Training Program. PhD applicants come from local and national recruitment efforts. MD/DO and PhD applicants are selected though a rigorous recruitment process designed to identify those with the greatest promise to pursue an independent research career. In addition to an intensive mentored research experience, trainees will gain formal training in metabolism, obesity and T2DM and team science. The program will be administered by an experienced Program Director supported by an Executive Committee with input from a independent External Advisory Board. We believe that the RTPMOD has shown early success in this first cycle of funding and provides outstanding training for postdoctoral fellows seeking a long-term independent research career in metabolism, obesity or T2DM research.