T32 Training Program in Mechanisms and Innovation in Vascular Disease

This Mechanisms and Innovations in Vascular Disease T32 Training Program provides valuable, unique, and innovative scientific training and professional development opportunities to a group of promising early career investigators in vascular disease research. This T32 program supports NHLBI’s mission to develop novel integrative strategies to prevent, diagnose, and treat cardiovascular diseases, while at the same time fulfilling its educational goal to train tomorrow’s leaders in basic, translational, and applied vascular research. This T32 is Stanford's only University-wide effort to develop the next generation of translational vascular investigators. The program goals include foundational training in cardiovascular research; complemented by rigorous training in the responsible conduct of research, methods to enhance rigor and reproducibility, and professional development topics to support trainees’ transition to independence. Trainees develop a focused area of vascular research expertise and are exposed to a wide range of complementary research techniques. Trainees are embedded in our institution’s large and thriving vascular research community. They are supported in their research focus, as well as training in rigorous and responsible research, by their primary research mentor, a co-mentor with complementary expertise, as well as the program directors. Additional training milestones include presentation at institutional and national conferences, authorship of primary research publications, and submission of applications for independent funding. Former trainees have become independent researchers in premier academic institutions and industry; and are emerging leaders in the field of vascular research. The program proposes to continue training 6 postdoctoral fellows in multidisciplinary vascular research. Fellows are appointed to this T32 annually, with a strong encouragement to seek their own funding for additional years as part of the skills imparted by the program. To date, 47 trainees have benefited from this program. Six fellows are currently in training. Evaluations indicate a high degree of satisfaction with the program. The Program is directed by Philip Tsao, PhD and Nicholas Leeper, MD; who have extensive experience in conducting high impact vascular research, mentoring early career scientists, and leading institutional training programs. Administrative and program management support is provided by a dedicated team of educators in the Stanford Cardiovascular Institute. An Internal Advisory Board consisting of senior Stanford faculty from a broad range of disciplines and an External Advisory Board consisting of leading experts in vascular medicine and research in the US play a vital role in monitoring the progress of this training program, providing ongoing support and advice as needed. Our overarching goal is to train the next generation of investigators in vascular research, and to facilitate their transition into productive and successful academic and industry leaders.