Molecular Medicine Training Program at Cleveland Clinic/Case Western Reserve University

The Molecular Medicine Training Program of the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine is specifically designed to introduce medical knowledge into graduate training and foster translational research relevant to human disease. It is one of the very few stand-alone Molecular Medicine PhD programs in the United States. It takes advantage of four factors to create an environment particularly suited to this purpose. First, this Program is located in the Lerner Research Institute where physicians and scientists from both the Cleveland Clinic and the School of Medicine have historically worked closely together to focus cutting edge research upon the causes and treatments of human illness. Second, a novel core curriculum has been designed to provide a solid foundation in basic scientific principles presented in the context of human organ systems and disease. Faculty research presentations, lab rotations, student research seminars, and an annual program showcase reinforce the translational application and potential clinical impact of the basic scientific principles throughout training. Third, the Training Program contains a broad range of trainers heading outstanding translational research laboratories in which our trainees perform rotations and thesis work. The range and strength of these laboratories, their collaborative interactions, and the commitment of the trainers to support of the Training Program is evidence of the collegial scientific environment within the Training Program. Finally, to ensure that each of the trainees comes to understand the clinical aspects of their area of investigation, each selects a Clinical Co-Mentor who helps organize an individual clinical experience. Through this experience trainees are introduced to patient diagnosis and treatment on a first hand basis. The Clinical Co-Mentor remains on the student’s thesis committee through graduation. In addition, the Program has been at the forefront in including program evaluation, responsible conduct of research training, rigor and reproducibility training, sexual harassment awareness, individual development plans, and career/professional development seminars that provide information about diverse career pathways. This proposal seeks funding for 6 trainees within the Training Program. This Training Program has gained national recognition and has had excellent outcomes. Since our first class matriculated in 2007 there has been a total of 55 PhD graduates with an average time to degree of 5.38 years. Our trainees preparing to take their places in diverse roles in the biomedical workforce, including as the leaders of the next generations of NIH funded laboratories translating basic scientific principles to address patient needs.