University of Florida Genetics Training Program

Enter the text here that is the new abstract information for your application. This section must be no longer than 30 lines of text. The University of Florida Genetics Training Program (UF-GTP) is a partnership between the University of Florida Genetics Institute (UFGI) and the University of Florida College of Medicine Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences with the rationale to combine the strengths of the two programs to provide superior training in genetics and genomics while also providing access to the superior artificial intelligence infrastructure at UF. UFGI administers the Genetics & Genomics (G&G) Ph.D. program which is a university-wide program that provides doctoral level training in genetics and genomics with access to 7 colleges and 51 departments. The Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences is administered by the College of Medicine and offers a Ph.D. program with a concentration in genetics that provides access to the array of clinical and basic science departments within this college. The UF-GTP will take advantage of the existing recruiting and academic training frameworks provided by these graduate programs and the recent expansion in junior and senior research training faculty across campus. The overarching goal of the program is to develop and expand a highly talented pool of professional researchers with the skills to pursue successful careers in the biomedical workforce. The UF-GTP Program proposes a series of high impact training experiences designed to enhance existing predoctoral training activities and broadly impact all students in the participating programs. Key elements include core courses within a flexible and customizable curriculum; monthly research in progress seminars; participation in the annual UF Genetics Symposium, an annual orientation providing a forum for feedback; training in rigor and reproducibility, training in scientific communication skills, and a continuing commitment to exceptional scientific training. Benchmarks for success will be an increasingly accomplished cohort of UF-GTP Trainees and Faculty Trainers, the highest level of retention for all trainees, a high level of research productivity, and successful transition into biomedical research careers that fully capitalize on their doctoral training. Critical evaluation of these benchmarks will be achieved through the implementation of a quantitative assessment plan.