Clinical and Translational Science Collaborative of Northern Ohio, CTSA Predoctoral T32 at Case Western Reserve University

Enter the text here that is the new abstract information for your application. This section must be no longer than 30 lines of text. Clinical and translational (C/T) scientists are increasingly important in biomedical research as they address critically unmet health needs. Consequently, translational education is necessary to equip C/T scientists with new skill sets. These skills and intellectual proficiencies will enable students to develop innovative strategies to address unmet health needs effectively, efficiently, and economically, to engage with all communities, and to address variations in healthcare delivery. Critical factors for success include transdisciplinary skills that enable C/T scientists to work across the spectrum of laboratory science, clinical research, and public health, as well as the ability to implement advances in clinical and community settings. The CWRU predoctoral Clinical and Translational Scientist Training Program (CTSTP-Pre) will support C/T research training across several PhD programs that focus on clinical and translational research. Trainees will include students in PhD, MD-PhD and DNP-PhD training. The CTSTP-Pre will be coordinated with our CTSTP-Post (postdoctoral T32) and CTSC K12 program; the three programs have jointly developed the CTSC Research Education Program that includes shared curricular activities, shared approaches for mentor approval-assessment-development, a common CTSC Research Education Advisory Board, and shared programs in collaboration with our CTSC UM1 program for community engagement, dissemination, implementation, and investigation to ensure quality health care for all. Together, these programs provide a pipeline for the training and development of C/T scientists. The CTSTP has a successful track record of innovation in C/T research education. We have established 3 new C/T PhD programs (C/T Science, launched in 2015 central to the precursor TL1 grant; Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, launched in 2011; and Biomedical and Health Informatics, launched in 2019) that expand C/T research training beyond other relevant PhD programs, including Epidemiology, Biomedical Engineering, and Nursing. The CTSTP now proposes to develop its predoctoral programs further. CTSTP predoctoral training previously focused on training dual degree students, including MD-PhD and DNP-PhD students. We will now support more PhD students to expand training pathways and increase focus on several C/T-related programs. Trainees will participate in the CTSC Research Education Program that provides a rich set of C/T research activities, as well as PhD program-specific activities. Criteria for acceptance into the CTSTP-Pre will include a strong academic record, commitment to a research-intensive career, and evidence of research skills. The program will be governed by the CTSTP-Pre Steering Committee, with oversight by the CTSC Research Education Advisory Board, which will include representatives from all participating institutions and programs. The CTSTP-Pre has a robust mentor pool with mentors who have established training records and robust research funding. Participating institutions include CWRU, CC, UH, MH, and VA. These sites are well-equipped for cutting-edge C/T research.