Rutgers Biotechnology Training Program

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The overall goal of the Rutgers Biotechnology Training Program (BTP) is to provide outstanding predoctoral students with an integrated multidisciplinary educational and research training experience in biotechnology. The specific aims are to 1) increase the number of well-trained PhDs able to conduct cutting-edge research in biotechnology and related areas; 2) to increase the number of under-represented minorities receiving biotechnology related degrees; and 3) to enhance the overall training experience by re-envisioning predoctoral education through a diversified set of enrichment activities with appropriate reinforcement throughout the training period. This comprehensive program builds on our ~35 years of prior experience and continuous NIGMS support. Students in the program receive 1) broad training across biomedical disciplines, 2) the skills to independently acquire the knowledge needed to advance their field, 3) the ability to think critically and independently, and to identify important research questions that advance the boundaries in their areas of study. The program provides 2 years of funding to meritorious students in their 1st or 2nd years, with the contractual requirement that students participate in all program activities for their entire graduate careers. We are requesting 12 slots from the NIH with the intention that trainees complete their dissertations in 4-6 years on average and enter primarily research and research-related careers. The training experience involves a unifying and multifaceted curriculum which includes: 1) specialized courses and experiential activities that provide the student with critical perspectives of the field from multiple vantage points; 2) summer industrial internships; 3) training in responsible conduct of research and rigor/reproducibility; 4) individualized mentoring, 5) an annual symposium; and 6) a PhD dissertation research project in one of the laboratories of 38 participating faculty mentors who are appointed in many different life science and engineering departments. We are requesting 12 NIH-funded predoctoral positions per year for 5 years. Rutgers has committed significant matching support, stipend and tuition supplements, and other salary and administrative support. Industrial interaction is exceedingly strong, with industrial investigators participating in teaching courses, presenting at the Annual BTP Symposium, hosting summer interns, providing matching support, serving on thesis committees, and occasionally hosting students for a part of their PhD dissertation work. The participating graduate programs and related centers provide exceptional facilities for comprehensive biotechnology research and education. Vigorous and extensive recruitment efforts are expended to attract students from under-represented groups, and only students of exceptional abilities and motivation are admitted. Student progress is continuously monitored through progress reports, individual development plans, and annual one-on-one meetings with the program directors. These progress documents, as well as surveys of students’ progress during training and in their careers after they leave the university are used to evaluate the effectiveness of the program.