Cardiovascular Science Training Program (CSTP)

The Cardiovascular Science Training Program (CSTP) at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai School (ISMMS) is dedicated to recruiting and training a cohort of pre-doctoral and post-doctoral scientists, aiming to foster their independent careers in cardiovascular research. Given the persistent health challenges associated with cardiovascular disease, understanding the cellular and molecular foundations of cardiac pathologies is crucial for discovering effective treatment strategies. The Icahn School of Medicine is ranked No. 10 in the nation for NIH funding by the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research, as well as Number 1 in New York and No. 4 globally on Newsweek’s list of “The World’s Best Specialized Hospitals.” Drs. Filip Swirski and Carol Gregorio, the Program Directors, are internationally-recognized scientists with outstanding credentials in leadership, research and mentorship. The training program offers its trainees vast opportunities in different areas relevant to cardiovascular science, including but not limited to Vascular Biology, Cardioimmunology, Electrophysiology, Myocardial Disease, Genetics, Development, Metabolic Diseases, Stems Cell/Gene Therapeutics, Artificial Intelligence, Systems Biology, and Drug Discovery, with cross- cutting opportunities in disciplines that highlight programs at Mount Sinai that are well-developed and internationally-recognized including advanced imaging and genomics/personalized medicine. The Cardiovascular Research Institute (CVRI), under the leadership of Dr. Swirski, along with various translational research institutes on the ISMMS campus, provides trainees with access to cutting-edge research facilities. The CSTP offers training positions to graduate students, Ph.D. post-doctoral fellows, and physician-scientist fellows, each with specific selection processes tailored to their respective educational backgrounds. The program offers intensive fellowships in one of 27 laboratories, didactic training, professional development, as well as rigorous training in the responsible conduct of research and in methods for enhancing reproducibility. Trainees participate in weekly research seminars and have access to courses through the Mount Sinai Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Annual evaluations, based on well-defined criteria for professional advancement, assess trainee progress. Opportunities for interaction with established investigators and past trainees, who have successfully advanced through the CSTP, are provided. Each trainee, in collaboration with their primary mentor, develops an individual development plan evaluated by the Program Directors. Internal and external advisory committees evaluate the program based on benchmarks such as trainee progress, recruitment success, extramural funding, and the career paths of former trainees. Our primary objective is to cultivate the next generation of fundamental and translational investigators, including clinician/scientists, within an environment that nurtures their professional growth and independence.