Training Program in Endocrinology

Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

The postdoctoral Training Program in Endocrinology at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) provides intensive research experience in basic or clinical/translational investigation, complemented by a didactic component appropriate to the training goals. The 10 trainees are primarily MDs and MD/PhDs who desire careers in investigative endocrinology and academic medicine, as well as PhDs who seek further research training. The trainees are selected from a large applicant pool on the basis of prior academic and/or research achievement and evidence of strong commitment to a career in biomedical investigation. The Program Director (K. Miller) and the Associate Director (A. Soukas) are senior Physician Scientists who govern in conjunction with the Endocrine Training Grant Executive Committee, a committee of experienced endocrine scientists and leaders. The faculty consists of 38 active, well-funded scientists, whose interests range broadly across the subdisciplines of endocrinology and from clinical-translational investigation to genetic and molecular mechanisms. The trainees are supervised for 2-3 years closely by a senior primary faculty mentor, or by pairing a senior faculty member with a junior faculty member “emerging mentor”, which serves as both a mentor and mentee training mechanism. In addition, individual Scientific Advisory Committees provide ongoing scientific and career counseling, and individual development plans ensure focus on each mentee’s short-term and long-term career goals. Thus, in all cases, trainees are supported by at least one immediate, senior, established faculty member (Associate or full Professor), as well as a Scientific Advisory Committee of empaneled experts in endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism. Internal and External Advisory Committees provide evaluation and recommendations for Program improvement. Formal Program and Mentorship trainee surveys, and frequent (at least twice annual) one-on-one meetings between the Program Director and trainees, provide specific actionable input re: the Program and mentorship. An extensive program of didactic sessions complements the research activity. This includes several weekly scientific series, including Endocrine Grand Rounds, and a monthly Career Development didactic series designed for the Training Grant trainees specifically. The productivity of our trainees over the past 10 years has been very high overall, as judged by the number and quality of trainee publications (289 T32-related publications), number of trainees who obtain subsequent grants (including 33 K awards, 32 R awards and many others) and percent (93%) who remain in academia or the biotechnology/pharmaceutical industry. The facilities at the MGH are extensive. This training grant is the central stabilizing financial element achieving the training goal of launching endocrine physician scientists and is critical in enabling MD, MD/PhD and PhD trainees to achieve impactful careers in investigation relevant to endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism.