Chemistry-Biology Interface Training Program

This proposal outlines a comprehensive plan for graduate education in chemistry & biology at UW–Madison via the Chemistry-Biology Interface training (CBIT) program. We seek to provide cross-disciplinary research training to our students, so that chemists and biologists not only appreciate, but also use, the tools and techniques developed by each other. These types of fresh approaches can lead to meaningful and truly impactful breakthroughs in science. The overall objective of CBIT is to educate trainees so they understand and can articulate scientific problems that span the chemistry–biology interface, have the technical skills to realize an independent research project at this interface, and can effectively communicate their discoveries to both scientific and general audiences. CBIT’s specific objective is to maximize Ph.D. completion rates within our 5 core departments/programs and measure longitudinal student outcomes (as per degree completion and job placement in the biomedical workforce) that will advance best practices in biomedical graduate training overall. CBIT’s overall & specific objectives are shaped by our mission to cultivate cross-disciplinary scholars capable of strong communication and teamwork. To realize these objectives, we request funds to support the CBIT program at the level of 10 trainees/year, with each trainee funded for 2 years. Key features of our proposed program are underscored below: ● The CBIT program will provide an integrated set of coursework (foundational and area specific, with dedicated courses in ethics and research rigor), research experiences that span the frontiers of the chemical biology field, mentorship training, focused training in communication (with mentors, other scientists, and the public), substantive career development opportunities (internships, annual workshops, and IDPs), and team-based experiences (via courses, research, and outreach). ● We will provide trainees a palette of four professional skill sets aligned with different biomedical careers (academic, industry, government, and legal/non-profit), guided by the needs of current employers within the biomedical workforce (via consultation with our new External Advisory Board), and composed of different activities that are specifically tailored for success in these four career spaces. ● We will evaluate our ability to achieve these results through quantitative assessments of the outcomes of the CBIT program, including gains in science identity, science self-efficacy, and core graduate school competencies such as broad knowledge of a discipline, experimental skills, and critical thinking skills. Our CBIT program fills a unique niche at UW–Madison as the only T32 program centered in the chemical sciences. This interfacial program has significantly impacted student outcomes—notably, of our 57 CBIT Ph.D. graduates since 2008, 55 (96%) are in careers that directly impact human health. We will build on this strong history and continue to innovate in graduate education over the next 5 years.