Multidisciplinary Training Program in Pediatric Pulmonary

Respiratory diseases account for approximately a quarter of all pediatric clinical consultations and hospital admissions in the U.S. Additionally, there is clear evidence that childhood lung diseases are a strong predictor for adult respiratory disease and prevention/treatment of childhood respiratory diseases has the potential to significantly reduce disease burden and costs in later life. Despite this, basic, translational, and clinical research involving studies of the mechanisms of pediatric respiratory diseases and their therapies lags behind research in adult pulmonary disease. This lag is partially attributable to a shortage of trained investigators in pediatric respiratory diseases. Our T32 multidisciplinary training program in the Eudowood Division of Respiratory Sciences at Johns Hopkins University has a strong track record of preparing young investigators; specifically, in its 19 year history, our T32 program has had exceptional outcomes: 97% retention during training and a 90% board pass rate on first attempt. Of the 29 graduates who received T32 funding, 26 are currently active faculty members at academic institutions or in government settings (FDA), and the remaining 3 work in commercial medical research-related settings. The goals of our T32 program are to: (1) produce outstanding independent scientists who investigate the pathophysiology and treatment of pediatric pulmonary disorders; (2) encourage and enable post-doctoral fellows to pursue academic careers in research; (3) train physician-fellows to fill one of the most important health-related needs of the nation: translational pediatric pulmonology research; and (4) develop national leaders in pediatric pulmonology. This T32 program renewal provides 3 years of training in pediatric lung-related research at the postdoctoral level for qualified candidates with an MD, MD/PhD, or DO degree and 1-3 years of training for qualified candidates with PhD degrees. Each trainee has an individual development plan program created in consultation with a Steering Committee, a mentor, a mentorship team, and scholarship review/advisory committees. This training program is the result of an extensive collaboration between research faculty members at Johns Hopkins. These research scientists offer mentored training in 5 Research Discipline Groups: (1) cystic fibrosis, epithelial transport, mucus rheology and transport; (2) lung injury and development; (3) clinical outcomes in pediatric pulmonary diseases; (4) infectious diseases; and (5) asthma, allergy and inflammation. The tutorial relationship between mentor and trainee is central to the program’s research training experience, and will be supplemented by formal training in clinical investigation, preparation of grant applications and the responsible conduct of research, presentation of original research at meetings and in peer-reviewed journals.