Digestive Disease Epidemiology Training Program

PROJECT SUMMARY The burden of digestive and liver diseases is considerable. To reduce that burden, the primary mission of the Digestive Disease Epidemiology Training Program at the University of North Carolina is to train independent researchers who will improve our understanding of the magnitude, etiology, impact, and treatment of digestive and liver diseases, and who will assume leadership roles in GI epidemiology and outcomes research. To accomplish that mission, the program includes the following aims: 1) provide formal advanced training in epidemiologic methods and biostatistics leading to an MSCR or PhD in epidemiology; 2) emphasize the design, execution, analysis and publication of a research project; 3) assign mentors with expertise in clinical epidemiology and gastroenterology to guide the developing investigator; 4) deliver an integrative core curriculum designed to acquire professional skills necessary for an academic career; 5) concurrently train 3 MD’s and 2 PhD candidates. Postdoctoral applicants are specifically recruited and matched to this high impact training program. The postdoctoral trainees spend four years in fellowship including two years in dedicated research training and two years in clinical training. Predoctoral trainees spend 2 to 4 years leading to a PhD in epidemiology. The program takes advantage of unique and considerable institutional strengths in public health and gastroenterology, and a strong institutional commitment. Highly collaborative faculty mentors provide expert guidance. A core curriculum leads to competencies in: clinical research study design, fundamentals of data analysis, grant proposal development, interdisciplinary collaboration, project oversight and management, oral and written presentation, and professional development. The training faculty includes 14 seasoned investigators from adult or pediatric GI and the Department of Epidemiology and 4 early stage investigators who serve as junior training faculty. Trainee progress is monitored by mentors, a Training Advisory Committee and the program director. Trainees provide anonymous feedback about the program leading to continuous improvement. The program has a strong record of training academic leaders. Trainees in this program obtain exceptional records of publication, outstanding methodologic skills, and extensive practical research experience to equip them for faculty positions on completion of the fellowship.