T32GM139782

Genetic Mechanisms and Evolution - Recent technological advances have transformed genetics research, and social changes have caused major shifts in best practices for graduate education, research training, and mentoring. We propose an innovative interdisciplinary predoctoral T32 program, Genetic Mechanisms and Evolution (GME), which is specifically crafted to meet the challenges and opportunities presented by these changes.

The GME program will train a diverse group of world-class Ph.D. scientists in molecular, statistical, and evolutionary genetics research who will serve as the next generation of innovative scientific leaders in genetics. Training will ensure the development of multidisciplinary competence across these fields, with a strong foundation in quantitative and computational analysis for every student.

The GME training program leverages the world-class strength of the University of Chicago in genetics. Mentors include 56 faculty with extraordinary records of research and graduate training, drawn from 14 departments across the fields of evolutionary, statistical, and molecular genetics. Further, the university's unique organizational structure brings all areas of genetics into a single division and makes possible the interdisciplinary program we propose.

Trainees for 18 funded positions will be selectively drawn from 9 graduate programs across disciplinary areas. The pool of potential trainees is extraordinarily well-qualified and diverse (49% women and 26% URM over the last 5 years). Trainees will be funded in years 2-3 of their studies, but they will participate in training and advising activities from matriculation through graduation.

A new interdisciplinary core course and breadth requirements will develop student foundations in molecular, statistical, and evolutionary genetics and build strong skills in programming and statistics. Specialized workshops and an annual hackathon will provide further rigorous training in computational and quantitative analysis of modern genetic data.

Formal writing instruction along with workshops in grant-writing and oral presentation skills will train scientists for effective communication and help ameliorate disparities in preparation among students from diverse backgrounds.

Individual development plans, mentor-mentee contracts, faculty mentor training, and peer mentoring will facilitate trainee success and allow the growth of a mutually supportive community of faculty and students. Participation in a pioneering career development program will support trainees in finding and preparing for a variety of post-PhD career paths.

Recruitment and retention of an increasingly diverse group of students will be further strengthened by participating in pipeline and outreach programs, bridge activities for new students, and faculty training to enhance the inclusivity of the training environment and admissions process.

All these activities - building on the strengths of an exceptional cadre of trainees, trainers, and institutional support - will allow us to recruit and train the future leaders of 21st-century genetics research.

University Of Chicago

THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES (NIGMS) SUPPORTS BASIC RESEARCH THAT INCREASES OUR UNDERSTANDING OF BIOLOGICAL PROCESSES AND LAYS THE FOUNDATION FOR ADVANCES IN DISEASE DIAGNOSIS, TREATMENT, AND PREVENTION. NIGMS ALSO SUPPORTS RESEARCH IN SPECIFIC CLINICAL AREAS THAT AFFECT MULTIPLE ORGAN SYSTEMS: ANESTHESIOLOGY AND PERI-OPERATIVE PAIN, CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY ?COMMON TO MULTIPLE DRUGS AND TREATMENTS, AND INJURY, CRITICAL ILLNESS, SEPSIS, AND WOUND HEALING.? NIGMS-FUNDED SCIENTISTS INVESTIGATE HOW LIVING SYSTEMS WORK AT A RANGE OF LEVELSFROM MOLECULES AND CELLS TO TISSUES AND ORGANSIN RESEARCH ORGANISMS, HUMANS, AND POPULATIONS. ADDITIONALLY, TO ENSURE THE VITALITY AND CONTINUED PRODUCTIVITY OF THE RESEARCH ENTERPRISE, NIGMS PROVIDES LEADERSHIP IN SUPPORTING THE TRAINING OF THE NEXT GENERATION OF SCIENTISTS, ENHANCING THE DIVERSITY OF THE SCIENTIFIC WORKFORCE, AND DEVELOPING RESEARCH CAPACITY THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.

93.859 - Biomedical Research and Research Training

National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) [HHS - NIH]

Chicago, Illinois 606375418 United States

Single Zip Code

National Institute of General Medical Sciences Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Predoctoral Institutional Research Training Grant (T32) (PAR-17-341)

Amendment Since initial award the total obligations have increased 310% from $832,579 to $3,413,131.