Precision Lifestyle Medicine and Translation Research (PREMIER)

This T32 renewal application seeks continued support for the Precision Lifestyle Medicine and Translation Research (PREMIER) training program at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC). The program impact goal is to build a transdisciplinary, translational research training infrastructure for postdoctoral fellows who aspire to be both independent investigators and team scientists in precision lifestyle medicine. Specifically, the program will train highly talented and motivated postdoctoral scholars to be future leaders in research addressing the prevention and control of cardiovascular and respiratory chronic conditions and comorbidities. The specific aims are to: (1) Recruit and train a superb cadre of fellows; (2) Provide an academic “incubator” for an inspiring mentored research experience and individualized professional development; and (3) Sustain a pipeline of dedicated, skilled mentors at all academic ranks. PREMIER has 3 integrative scientific foci: Behavioral Sciences for Multimorbidity Prevention and Control as the central, patient-oriented research focused core; and the Mechanisms of Behavior Change and Disease and the Population Health and Policy cores traversing the central core. Supported by the Internal and External Advisory Committees, the Executive Committee, consisting of the 2 MPIs and the 2 co-leaders of each scientific core, will provide intellectual leadership and programmatic oversight. These 8 faculty along with 27 others from 6 science colleges at UIC (Medicine, Public Health, Applied Health Sciences, Nursing, Computer Science, Liberal Arts and Sciences) are PREMIER mentors. Collectively, they bring deep research and mentorship expertise, extensive professional experiences, and essential resources. Building on successes to date, the renewed program will support 12 full-time postdoctoral trainees in years 6-10, with expanded faculty mentors across all 3 scientific cores and enhanced faculty expertise and training resources in data sciences and methods. Every fellow will receive group mentorship from 1 primary mentor associated with the core of central interest to the fellow and 1-2 secondary mentors from either or both of the other cores. One of the mentors must have established expertise in the central core of this training program. Fellows will devote at least 75% effort to mentored research, supplemented by conferences, seminars, and coursework based on individual needs. Fellows will be selected from a national pool of MD and PhD (or equivalent) applicants based on past accomplishments and especially on their potential as future researchers and educators. Each trainee will develop an individual development plan (IDP), and progress is to be continuously monitored and formally evaluated. A multi-level evaluation plan is designed to ensure high quality training.