Multidisciplinary Training in Environmental Toxicology

Michigan State University, East Lansing MI

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Abstract

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant) The multidisciplinary Environmental and Integrative Toxicological Sciences (EITS) Training Program at MSU produces scientists having a base knowledge in environmental toxicology coupled with research expertise gained in a biomedical basic science graduate program. Pre-doctoral trainees must meet the full Ph.D. requirements of their "home" biomedical doctoral program and complete the coursework, research and interactive aspects of the EITS Doctoral Program administered through the Center for Integrative Toxicology (CIT). The dual nature of the training is recognized in the biomedical science-environmental toxicology title of the degree awarded (e.g., Ph.D. in "Biochemistry and Molecular Biology-Environmental Toxicology"). Graduates of the program are well equipped to conduct research and interact with other scientists in the course of solving complex environmental toxicological problems that require collaborative, multidisciplinary approaches. Twenty training faculty conduct pre-doctoral training in seven basic science Ph.D. programs (Pharmacology/Toxicology, Genetics, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Food Science, Cell and Molecular Biology, Comparative Medicine and Integrative Biology, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics). Added to the basic biomedical science-based education and environmental toxicology research training are didactic, toxicology-oriented courses and other requirements of the EITS Program. This coursework and less formal multidisciplinary interactions and activities provided by the CIT impart a wider scope of knowledge than is available within basic science programs alone. Research topics for trainees span various organ systems and encompass gene-environment interactions and the role of environmental factors in disease susceptibility and progression. There is an integrative biology emphasis to the research training, which emphasizes whole animal, cell-based, molecular and genomic methodologies to understand mechanisms of toxicity in a collaborative atmosphere. The postdoctoral training program involves not only conducting research in the laboratories of the training faculty but also gaining additional environmental toxicology experience and career-building training through participation in CIT and University-wide activities. This application is for support of six pre-doctoral and three postdoctoral trainees, thereby continuing a highly effective multidisciplinary and interactive Training Program that combines formal and informal approaches to prepare graduates for leadership roles in research in the field of environmental toxicology. BACKGROUND Training in environmental toxicology at Michigan State University (MSU) was formalized in 1978 with the establishment of the Center for Environmental Toxicology. This Center is now called the Center for Integrative Toxicology (CIT). Pre-doctoral trainees of the program receive a base knowledge in environmental toxicology coupled with research expertise gained in a biomedical basic science graduate program. Pre-doctoral trainees must meet the full Ph.D. requirements of their home biomedical doctoral program and complete the coursework, research and interactive aspects of the multidisciplinary Environmental and Integrative Toxicological Sciences (EITS) Training Program administered through the Center for Integrative Toxicology (CIT). The dual nature of the training is recognized in the biomedical science-environmental toxicology title of the degree awarded (e.g., Ph.D. in "Biochemistry and Molecular Biology-Environmental Toxicology"). The postdoctoral trainees gain additional environmental toxicology experience and career-building training through participation in CIT and University-wide activities. Graduates of the program appear to be well equipped to conduct research and interact with other scientists in the course of solving complex environmental toxicological problems that require collaborative, multidisciplinary approaches. Currently about 50 faculty from 19 different departments are affiliated with the CIT, and 20 of these faculty members have been selected for this Training Program. The 20 faculty members come from seven basic science Ph.D. programs (Pharmacology/Toxicology, Genetics, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Food Science, Cell and Molecular Biology, Comparative Medicine and Integrative Biology, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics). Research topics for trainees span various organ systems and encompass gene-environment interactions and the role of environmental factors in disease susceptibility and progression. This application is for support of six pre-doctoral and three postdoctoral trainees, which is similar to the current level of support.