# Training Program in Gastrointestinal Sciences

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · 2021 · $532,878

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The number of physician-scientists in the United States has been steadily declining, and there is a need for
more basic and translational investigators focused on digestive, pancreatic, and liver related research. Since
1963, the Training Program in Gastrointestinal Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of
Medicine (Penn) has been instrumental in developing academic research careers for gastroenterology
trainees. Training Program and Environment: The cornerstone of the program is an intensive laboratory-
based research experience (basic and translational), which entails close interaction with a Training Program
faculty mentor with guidance and oversight by a research advisory committee and program leadership.
Laboratory work is supplemented by a robust educational curriculum, and trainees benefit from the exceptional
resources and environment within the NIH P30 Center for Molecular Studies in Digestive and Liver Diseases at
Penn and the Penn and Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) Gastroenterology (GI) Divisions. Training
Program Directors: The Program Director (Dr. Jonathan Katz) and Associate Director (Dr. Gary Wu) have
extensive experience in biomedical research education and training and are guided by an Internal Advisory
Board and an External Advisory Board composed of local and national thought leaders. Preceptors/Mentors:
With additional enrichment of the research base since the prior renewal, the Training Program has continued to
both expand and refine the pool of faculty mentors. Faculty mentors are selected from the Penn and CHOP GI
divisions, as well as basic science departments, based upon experience with trainees, independent and
extramurally funded laboratories (or for junior mentors, independent and emerging research programs), and
relevant projects in digestive, liver, and pancreatic diseases. Currently, the Training Program has 31 program
faculty, providing expertise across gastroenterology, hepatology, and pancreatology. Women comprise 39% of
these program faculty, and 13% are members of racial and ethnic groups underrepresented in science and
medicine. Trainees: Outstanding postdoctoral trainees, mostly M.D. or M.D.-Ph.D. physician-scientists from
Penn and CHOP GI Fellowship Programs and occasionally other fellows or postdoctoral Ph.D. scientists from
Penn and CHOP GI labs, are selected through a nationally competitive application process. Over the past 5
years, 27% of trainees selected for the program have been members of underrepresented racial and ethnic
groups, and 40% have been women. Training Record: The Penn Training Program in Gastrointestinal
Sciences maintains a record of success, reflected, for example, by the receipt of career development awards
(e.g. 13 trainees and recent program graduates currently hold career development awards), publications in
high-impact journals, and eventual transitions to become independent investigators. Thus, the Penn Training
Program in Gastro...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10153751
- **Project number:** 5T32DK007066-47
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
- **Principal Investigator:** JONATHAN P KATZ
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $532,878
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1975-07-01 → 2025-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10153751

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10153751, Training Program in Gastrointestinal Sciences (5T32DK007066-47). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10153751. Licensed CC0.

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