Epigenomics Workshop for Graduate Students

PROJECT SUMMARY The field of epigenomics is expanding rapidly, driven in large part by new and evolving technology, methods, and techniques. It also is becoming increasingly interdisciplinary. The rapid advance of omics technologies into multiple specialty disciplines has created a new series of challenges for scientists-in-training, primarily because every technique or software program has its own assumptions, biases, caveats, and relative merits that directly affect (or limit) the conclusions that can be drawn from such studies. The objectives of the “Epigenomics Workshop for Graduate Students” are to provide a broad overview of cutting-edge omics technologies, epigenetics research questions, and an intimate, problem-based learning environment with research experts so that participants will understand innovative methods for studying epigenomics, apply these tools to interdisciplinary research questions in the field, and build meaningful connections with research leaders and other graduate students in the broader epigenomics field. The one-week workshop at Van Andel Research Institute will be led by epigenomics research leaders and have space for 15 graduate students per year. It will increase diversity and enhance the training of 75 biomedical researchers to meet the growing demand for highly skilled epigenomics researchers with broad foundations, enabling them to tackle innovative, interdisciplinary questions and bring this knowledge back to their current labs. We also will build a community of early career epigenomics scientists who are connected beyond their subfields to the broader epigenomics field.