Mechanisms of Disease and Translational Science

Ut Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas TX

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

Abstract/Project Summary Accelerating the translation of fundamental scientific discoveries into tangible advancements in human health stands as a foremost national priority. Regrettably, conventional graduate education in biomedical sciences primarily emphasizes didactic knowledge and hands-on research experience. Insufficient emphasis is placed on cultivating the skillset required to propel basic scientific breakthroughs from the laboratory to practical applications at the patient's bedside. Furthermore, once students complete their graduate studies, the opportunities to formally acquire the indispensable knowledge for conducting and propelling translational research become even scarcer. The UT Southwestern Medical Center's Mechanisms of Disease and Translational Science program (MoDTS) was created as a supplementary graduate student track to complement the traditional training regimen for PhD candidates and to close the gap between basic and translational research training. The MoDTS initiative pairs PhD candidates with qualified, passionate clinical preceptors specializing in medical fields pertinent to the student's thesis. The overarching aim revolves around acquainting students with clinical practices and fostering connections that facilitate translational research endeavors. The program initiates in the third year of graduate school and continues until graduation. It encompasses a series of obligatory and elective avenues, including continuous clinical shadowing, medical-student level courses, seminars, nanocourses, and internships. Trainees committed to translational research will be funded for one-year periods to facilitate clinical collaborations and experiential learning opportunities. These avenues provide atypical yet invaluable instruction across an array of subjects, such as crafting IRB protocols, technology transfer and development, patent procedures, and the design and execution of clinical trials. We are requesting 8 positions to allow trainees to commit to extracurricular, translational training, including experiential training and internships. Most trainees will be appointed for one year, however second and even third years of support will be provided under exceptional situations. Ultimately, our program's objective centers on furnishing PhD candidates with the proficiencies requisite for propelling fundamental scientific discoveries out of the laboratory and into the hands of healthcare providers. Our expected outcomes are to train students to be actively involved in translational research through a variety of career options.