Advanced research training in immunology for surgery trainees (ARTIST)

Project Summary This renewal Advanced Research Training in Immunology for Surgery Trainees (ARTIST) is a specialized training program that responds to the accelerating demand for expertise at the intersection of surgery and translational immunology research and the critical need to ensure a pipeline of surgeon-scientists. The long- term goal of the program is to inspire and train the next generation of surgeon-scientists who will lead immunology research focused on solutions for clinical problems relevant to tissue injury, repair, regeneration and replacement. Discoveries by these surgeon-scientists are anticipated to lead to new tools for diagnosis or prognosis of immune-mediated diseases and also to new immunotherapies. Program objectives are achieved by recruitment of outstanding trainees with innate curiosity and the aspiration to become leaders in surgery, selection of high quality interdisciplinary and collaborative NIH-funded faculty, and engagement in innovative didactics and professional development activities. Eligible trainees are competitively selected from an outstanding pool of surgery residents who have completed at least two years of clinical training in the Ohio State University (OSU) General Surgery residency program, in other surgical subspecialty residencies at OSU Wexner Medical Center and Nationwide Children’s Hospital or in general surgery residency programs at other institutions. The diversity of the surgical trainee pool is a strength of the ARTIST program and will contribute to the quality and diversity of the future biomedical surgeon-scientist workforce. Surgical trainees are prepared for the mentored research experience far in advance of the T32 training period in order to optimize their research success and productivity. Each trainee dedicates a minimum of two years without clinical responsibilities to conduct mentored research, participate in immunology focused didactics (earning a Masters of Medical Science (MMS) degree) and engage in professional development activities. MMS requirements include coursework in Immunology, Rigorous Research Design, Biostatistics, Grant Writing, and Research Ethics. Trainees are required to take “Career Development for Surgeons” course and “Applications of Immunology in Surgery” journal club. Trainees also have ample opportunity to participate in OSU institutional research workshops, seminars and career development activities. After completion of the research training program, trainees transition back to complete 2-3 more years of surgical training. During this time, they continue to publish, present at national meetings, compete for awards and participate in research and professional development activities. To date, 17 trainees (4 URM) have been appointed, 2 are in training, 15 completed the program (no attrition), achieved high productivity (publications, presentations, competitive awards), 3 exceeded program milestones and earned PhD degree. Ten of 15 who completed both research and clinical training placed into prestigious fellowships (9) and one proceeded directly into an academic faculty position and 5 remain in clinical training. We plan to appoint 5 postdoctoral trainees per year, each for 2 years duration.