Research Training

The purpose of the NRSA program is to help ensure a diverse and highly trained workforce is available to assume leadership roles related to the Nation's biomedical and behavioral research agenda.

Our goal is to train the next generation of top pediatric pulmonology researchers. A special goal is to train M.D. or Ph.D. scientists who can engage in translational research. This program has been in existence for 27 years and has produced many of the leaders of pediatric pulmonology and cystic fibrosis now in academia.

We propose a program that places supervised research experience at the heart of study, with supervision from faculty committees and oversight from an Executive Committee and outside reviewers in addition to the primary attention of the mentor. The training faculty of potential mentor numbers 25, 22 primary mentors most experienced, 19 of whom have federal funding, which total over $10 million per year.

All trainees must complete a course in Lung Biology and Pathobiology, which is given in a three year cycle, as well as attend one Journal Club, a weekly Research Seminar, and a course in the Responsible Conduct of Research. In addition, M.D. trainees must take a course in statistics and attend a weekly clinical conference. Predoctoral trainees must pass a qualifying examination at the outset and the defense of a thesis at the conclusion of the training. Most trainees receive 4-5 years of research training in our program; not all of it is supported by this grant. Most prepare a grant application under supervision and most prepare papers, abstracts and presentations for publication and delivery at national meetings. These academic survival skills, combined with the research skills they acquire, prepare our trainees for academic and other positions in biomedicine tomorrow.