Training in Transfusion Medicine and Classical Hematology

We propose a new T32 program to train post-doctoral scientists in classical hematology, transfusion medicine, and glycobiology research at the Versiti Blood Research Institute (VBRI). As intimately linked disciplines, classical hematology and transfusion medicine form a cornerstone of research in blood diseases but need help attracting new talent. While founded in hematology, glycobiology remains a specialized research domain with few experts to translate basic findings into clinical practice. The VBRI, enhanced by selected faculty from the Medical College of Wisconsin, is home to a unique cluster of experts in these areas who will serve as preceptors in this T32 program to close the substantial gap in this required workforce. Trainees for this program will be accepted into one of two training tracks; Thrombosis, Hemostasis, and Vascular Biology (Track I); and Glycobiology in Hematology, Transfusion Medicine, and Metabolism (Track II). Trainees will gain an in-depth scientific understanding of their field, acquire competency in pertinent research technologies, and learn to conduct and present independent research, including the skills needed to fund, manage, and sustain a laboratory. Trainees will undergo a rigorous selection process by an internal Executive Committee, emphasizing recruiting and retaining outstanding trainees. Selected trainees will participate in a research-intensive program based on an individual development plan (IDP)-driven format with a mentored research project at its core. In addition to their basic science preceptor, each trainee will have a clinical co-mentor to learn about translational and clinical aspects of their research. We will implement bench science and supplement it with a didactic lecture module designed for each training track, a focused technology workshop, regular weekly scientific conferences, and participation in national meetings. Each trainee will receive group mentoring from a Scholarship Oversight Committee, consisting of the trainee's mentor, one program Co-Director, and one member of the Executive Committee, who will establish the IDP, ensure project completion and activity progress, and provide regular feedback to the Co-Directors. Preceptors will be required to undergo mentor-the-mentor training. The Executive Committee (co-Directors Drs. Mast, Hoffmeister, and preceptor faculty Drs. Kastrup, Ma, and Dahms) will meet bi-annually to 1) prioritize program goals, 2) oversee program policies, activities, and governance practices to provide program oversight. An External Advisory Board will meet annually with program administration and trainees to provide feedback. We request support for three post-doctoral fellows to appoint one annually over the first three years. Thus, we plan for a small but highly effective program where initial trainees set a high standard for those following. As such, we expect the trainees to pursue mentored research awards from the NIH or other funding agencies as their careers progress from post-doctoral fellows to junior faculty and independent research careers, strengthening and expanding the US scientific workforce in classical hematology, transfusion medicine, and glycobiology.