Michigan Chemistry-Biology Interface Training Program

The University of Michigan proposes the renewal of a predoctoral Chemistry-Biology Interface (CBI) Training Program, whose training mission is to implement effective approaches to training and mentoring students working across the chemistry-biology continuum. Our objectives remain to 1) recruit and retain high quality trainees, 2) provide unique interdisciplinary training that adds value to that of the home graduate program, and 3) provide mentorship and training supporting successful Ph.D. degrees and life-long productive careers in research related settings. The Training Program faculty includes chemical biologists, synthetic organic and inorganic chemists, bioorganic chemists, bioanalytical chemists, mechanistic enzymologists, spectroscopists, and structural biologists from eight departments. From these departments and one free-standing graduate program a cohort of promising second-year PhD students will be selected and appointed for two years. Ten trainees per year for five years are requested. The CBI didactic component includes two core Chemical Biology courses and a seminar. This curriculum also includes a novel student sabbatical to be completed in an external, broadly defined, research-related environment. Based on former trainee feedback on its outsized influence on their careers, this experiential sabbatical program is one of the most impactful training opportunities available. Additional CBI career exploration and professional development occur via an annual symposium, invited career and scientific speakers, and regular trainee meetings. Interactions at these latter monthly meetings and close attention one-on-one mentoring promote a collegialCBI trainee community. Research opportunities for CBI trainees are widely varied across chemical biology and include access to the most sophisticated techniques and cutting-edge instrumentation in modern chemical biology research. Research and classroom training emphasize responsible conduct in research and strategies for conducting reproducible research with the highest standards of scientific rigor. The ability to positively impact trainees is supported by an emphasis on maintaining an excellent training environment, expanding trainee exposure to non-traditional careers, increasing mentor training, and extending career support beyond the PhD period. Overall, the rationale for this integrated program is to provide the supplemental interdisciplinary training, professional skills, and the career savvy for CBI trainees to advance chemical biology solutions to biomedical problems.