Graduate Training in Bioinformatics

This grant supports a long-running and successful Environmental Health Bioinformatics (EHB) training program at NC State University, with support for 5 predoctoral trainee slots, which is augmented by generous institutional support. This training program has produced scientists who occupy leadership and key scientific roles conducting Environmental Health Sciences (EHS) research at academic, government, and industry institutions. The structures supporting our EHB program, the Bioinformatics Research Center (BRC) and the Bioinformatics Graduate Program, synergize with numerous institutional strengths in training of predoctoral scientists. The training program leverages the momentum in EHS and Data Science at NC State to further enhance EHB training with (i) a leadership structure designed to facilitate trainee success, (ii) training elements and professional development activities specific to EHB, and (iii) an outstanding training faculty roster. The administrative organization incorporates best practices in research training and responsiveness to agency and national priorities. The training faculty and goals align with a new synthesis of EHB, where fundamental research in several disciplinary pillars contributes to advancing EHS: Data Science and Computational Biology, Exposomics, and Precision Environmental Health.