Vanderbilt University Cardiovascular Medicine Training Program

The Cardiology Division at Vanderbilt has a long and outstanding track record of training cardiovascular scientists across a broad array of disciplines in cardiology. Over the last 5 years, the Division has experienced (1) major growth in research funding, with >$20 million NIH funding last year ($1.4 million increase over previous year) and over $28 million in total funding last year (26% increase); (2) success of our investigative faculty through transdisciplinary collaboration; and (3) increase in trainees applying for/attaining K-series (or similar) funding. We propose to continue this trend under a transdisciplinary Vanderbilt University Cardiovascular Medicine T32 (VUCM-T32) NRSA training grant consisting of 4 post-doctoral trainees annually (2-3 year appointment). We aim to foster career development of cardiovascular investigators by training of individuals by an accomplished, committed faculty. Vanderbilt houses unique resources central to the success of our trainees and mentors, including (1) intense institutional commitment via divisional financial support and an NIH CTSA (Vanderbilt Institute for Clinical/Translational Research [VICTR]) that centralizes mentor/trainee education and wellness and guidance and support during K/R-series application (among many other services); (2) integrated electronic health record/OMICS platform (“BioVU”, “Synthetic Derivative”) successfully used by our trainees in research; (3) broad faculty interests across multiple areas of cardiovascular research, basic and clinical; (4) training in leadership and integrity, including responsible conduct of research, with an emphasis on methodologic rigor and reproducibility; among others. Our recruitment programs focus on our clinical fellowship (with a “short-track” Harrison Society program for those dedicated to careers as physician-scientists) as well as internal and external recruitment efforts. We have demonstrated success in recruitment/retention and attainment of career development funding to date. Training is mentor-supervised research (>85%), supplemented by core didactics, conference series, and opportunities to develop leadership, communication, and scientific training (including funding for formal Master’s training). Mentors are selected by trainees prior to matriculation, with training (including a “mentor-in-training” program) to ensure mentor development. A consistently updated Individualized Development Plan (IDP) and meetings with an Individualized Primary Mentoring Committee and PD/PIs will help guide trainees to success and serve as quantitative metrics to measure T32 effectiveness. Administration is led by 2 PD/PIs (Freedman; Shah), supported by an (1) External Advisory Board and (2) Internal Executive and Steering Committees to guide trainee selection and provide oversight. VUCM-T32 success is ensured by significant institutional support by Vanderbilt, via VICTR, Office of Biomedical Research and Training, and Department of Medicine. We envision VUCM-T32 will provide trainees expertise to sustain life-long investigation, starting with attainment of research-focused positions and funding.