Postdoctoral Training in Arteriosclerosis Research

Columbia University Health Sciences, New York NY

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

This application requests continued funding, at the present level of eight training positions, for the post-doctoral T32 program, “Training in Arteriosclerosis Research” that began in 1978 and was last renewed on August 1, 2018. The goal of this program is to provide basic and clinical investigators with broadly based knowledge in scientific fields related to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, which has a major impact on the health of the American population. This training program is, therefore, very relevant to the mission of NHLBI. This T32 functions within a broad framework of research addressing various aspects of cardiovascular disease and the spectrum of biologic and social determinants, including diabetes, obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, sleep disorders, and health disparities that increase the risk for atherosclerosis. A major strength of the program is the many collaborations that exist between faculty mentors. The training program has a long record of success, with over 75% of trainees that completed the program presently in research positions, mostly in academic centers and funded by NIH and foundations. The faculty is anchored by a group of outstanding Senior Mentors, who in addition to mentoring postdoctoral trainees working in their laboratories will act as mentors for other trainees and junior faculty members in the program. Many of the Senior Mentors have worked together in this program for more than 15 years, and to ensure the continued success of the program in these challenging times, we have recruited a new group of younger faculty, both at the Senior and Junior Co-Mentor levels, to join them. Dr. Henry Ginsberg, PI of this program for 20 years, joins with Drs. Muredach Reilly and Jacquelyn Taylor in a 3 MPI model that will allow them to meet the many challenges facing sciences and healthcare. Associate Directors, the Executive Committee, and several subcommittees, will assist the MPI’s. In addition to one meeting each month where trainees present their research, a second monthly meeting will focus on rigor and reproducibility and health disparities. All trainees will enroll in didactic programs to strengthen their knowledge in biostatistics and translational/clinical research, as well as Precision Medicine and Health Disparities, two new areas that will be highlighted. Mentoring of trainees will be a major focus of the program. The program will continue to recruit Ph.D.’s, M.D.’s. and others with professional degrees, with new opportunities for graduates of Columbia’s Ph.D. programs in Nursing and Social Work. All these changes will begin in year 45, the last year of the present funding cycle.