Pulmonary Development and Disease Pathogenesis Training Program

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The Pulmonary Development and Disease Pathogenesis T32 Training Program provides advanced research training through stipends for five predoctoral and three postdoctoral candidates within the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine (UCCOM) and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC). Our training environment leverages established, integrated, and innovative graduate and postgraduate programs in molecular, developmental, and cell biology, alongside exceptional clinical and translational programs focusing on pediatric and adult pulmonary diseases and radiological imaging research. Supported by robust NHLBI- funded research programs, the T32 initiative brings together over 38 distinguished NIH-funded investigators with expertise in molecular and cell biology, physiology, and imaging strategies to study lung development and diseases. The program's faculty engage in shared research interests and active collaborations in both basic and translational research, with major themes including the genetic, cellular, and molecular basis of pulmonary disorders across the lifespan. Key areas of expertise include pulmonary cell interactions during lung morphogenesis and regeneration, mechanisms of branching morphogenesis, alveologenesis, repair processes, and the genetic basis of lung diseases. Additional strengths encompass research in biomarkers, imaging, and therapeutic approaches for pulmonary parenchymal and vascular diseases. Promising pre- and postdoctoral trainees are selected on a competitive basis. Ph.D. and MD/PhD predoctoral trainees pursue their degrees in Graduate Programs in Developmental Biology, Immunobiology, Biomedical Informatics, Pathobiology, and Molecular Medicine. Postdoctoral trainees who may hold MD, PhD, or combined MD/PhD degrees are recruited into T32 Mentor laboratories. The program places special emphasis on recruiting minority individuals and physician-scientist candidates pursuing MD/PhD training. Research training is comprehensive, including mentorship in career development, responsible conduct of research, scientific rigor, ethics, research presentation skills, and participation in seminars and courses across graduate and divisional programs. Trainees are actively engaged in research meetings and relevant seminar series. Program administration consists of the Contact Co- PI, three Co-Principal Investigators, an Executive Committee, and both External and Internal Advisory Committees. Rigorous oversight includes regular assessments of trainee progress, mentor quality, and overall program effectiveness. Trainees meet frequently with their mentors, the T32 Program Director, and Co-Directors quarterly, and their Mentoring Committee at least biannually. This T32 renewal application (Years 30-35) seeks to continue the program's tradition of excellence, fostering the next generation of investigators to enhance research training and expertise in critical aspects of pulmonary development and disease.