# Tetrad: Genetics, Cell Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Training Grant

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · 2021 · $991,725

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
The mission of the Tetrad program is to transform a group of bright, motivated, and diverse trainees into
independent, innovative, and rigorous leaders in academic science, biotechnology, and affiliated disciplines. Our
mission requires balancing disciplinary specialization, which is essential for depth and rigor, with the flexibility to
think broadly across disciplines, which drives scientific breakthroughs. Towards this goal, the Tetrad program
provides training in the fundamental principles of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Biochemistry and the use of these
principles to practice the scientific method across disciplines and with rigor. The approaches and concepts in
these areas are applicable to nearly every aspect of modern biology. Therefore, we believe that by building a
solid foundation in these core areas, we can best equip our trainees for the fast pace of biomedical discovery
and the expanding landscape of science related career options. Thus, our training does not get obsolete with
new technological innovations or changing biological paradigms, but instead contributes to driving such
breakthroughs by empowering students to engage in curiosity driven research. The emphasis on fundamental
principles is complemented with exposure to cutting-edge biomedical findings and techniques to increase our
students’ curiosity and foster their ability to tackle questions of broad significance. Our mission also requires
training in essential professional skills, such as effective and accurate communication of science, an ability to
work in diverse teams and an ability to identify a productive career path. Therefore, training activities such as
proposal writing courses and career development workshops are woven throughout the program. Finally, our
mission requires that efforts to diversify the biomedical workforce do not rely simply on increased recruitment of
underrepresented students, but also depend on efforts to ensure their continued success. Therefore, activities
such as training our program faculty to mentor across differences are essential program components.
The broad range of scientific problems studied by the 79 training faculty and their strong commitment to graduate
training has enabled Tetrad to provide an environment that nurtures the excitement and curiosity that lies at the
heart of doing science and empowers all our trainees to be impactful members of the biomedical workforce. We
plan on appointing 13 students for a duration of 2 years. Therefore, we request a total of 26 annual slots as we
anticipate that each year, we will have 13 first year students and 13 second year students on this training grant.
Trainees will be chosen from a highly qualified pool of students.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10090261
- **Project number:** 1T32GM139786-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO
- **Principal Investigator:** Kaveh Ashrafi
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $991,725
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2021-07-01 → 2026-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10090261

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10090261, Tetrad: Genetics, Cell Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Training Grant (1T32GM139786-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10090261. Licensed CC0.

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