N3-PREP (Neurology, Neurosurgery, & Neuropathology Pitt Research Education Program)

Physician-neuroscientists are essential for converting the discoveries from the laboratory to diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for patients burdened by neurologic diseases. Integration of research training during clinical training years (residency and fellowship) is pivotal to fostering the next generation of physician- neuroscientists, who are essential to bring the neuro-based discoveries to the bedside. The University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) has an exceptionally strong neuroscience environment, primed to help address this gap through the Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Neuropathology Pittsburgh Research Education Program (N3-PREP). N3-PREP will be based in the Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery and Division of Neuropathology, with a focus on trainees with a desire to develop an academic research career in the neurosciences. Our overarching and long-term goal is to train the next generation of physician-neuroscientists in basic science, translational science, data science, and clinical (patient-oriented) research through a closely mentored approach, in an environment ripe with physical and faculty resources across the translational spectrum of neuro-focused research. Biomedical research is a high priority at Pitt and the neuroscience environment is strong, with faculty across >20 departments and institutes, and cutting-edge research. Currently at Pitt, the Clinical Translational Science Institute (CTSI) and Physician Scientist Incubator (PSI) program provide important infrastructure for training physician-scientists. Key components of N3-PREP include a well-defined pathway for each trainee to be paired with a primary mentor and a mentoring committee, a core curriculum, internal study sections for grant reviews, progress tracking for both the trainee and mentor, and continued support for the trainee’s progress toward an NIH K mentored-career development award. We will also provide a longitudinal track beginning in the PGY-1 year to increase the interest of the matriculating residents across participating departments and increase the pool of residents well-prepared to get the most out of the benefits of direct UE5 funding. The core curriculum includes formal training in experimental design and scientific rigor, statistical methodology, grant writing, presentation skills, and the responsible conduct of research. Led by multi-Principal Investigators in Neurology, Neurosurgery and Neuropathology and an Advisory Council, N3-PREP is well supported by commitments from 87 research mentors across 16 departments. Our hypothesis is that N3-PREP will increase the number of well- prepared neuro-focused physician-scientists from the University of Pittsburgh who will progress to being at the forefront of guiding innovative neuroscience research, translating research breakthroughs into care, and bring neuroscience discoveries to life to reduce the burden of neurologic disease.