# Enhancing Lab Safety Curriculum and Culture

> **NIH NIH T32** · UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · 2020 · $61,501

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
 Chemical Biology is an interdisciplinary science that requires crosstraining in both chemistry and
biology. This Training Grant application (PITCH – Program for Interdisciplinary Training in CHemical Biology)
requests support for an interdepartmental Chemical Biology Training Program at the University of Utah. This
Program seeks to extend the benefits of the highly successful Biological Chemistry Program, an
interdisciplinary 1st-year graduate program that trains students to pursue research on the chemistry/biology
interface, to the entire PhD period. The Program consists of individualized research training under the
guidance of 37 faculty members from the College of Science, College of Pharmacy, and School of Medicine,
which are in close proximity. PITCH will supplement the training program in each student's home department
(from which they receive their PhD) and provide a co-mentor that complements the expertise of the primary
mentor. The Steering Committee selects Trainees, monitors their progress, and organizes PITCH activities.
The PITCH mentors provide a diverse interdisciplinary training environment in Chemical Biology. Prospective
predoctoral trainees are admitted to graduate school through the Biological Chemistry, Chemistry, or MD/PhD
programs and compete for two years of PITCH support starting early in their second year based on a
competitive application process that evaluates excellence in research and coursework, a research proposal, a
training plan, and letters of recommendation. All trainees are required to take a Scientific Ethics course, an
approved slate of courses, and participate in PITCH activities, including a summer Journal Club, monthly
student-only dinners to present research progress, an annual retreat, a virtual seminar series curated from
participating departmental offerings, and a Nano-Sabbatical program to acquire professional experience
outside of the thesis lab. Support is requested for four predoctoral students per year. The impact of this
program will be amplified by including students not selected for funding in PITCH activities via an affiliate
program. PITCH will prepare students for leading independent positions in Chemical Biology.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10156609
- **Project number:** 3T32GM122740-03S1
- **Recipient organization:** UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
- **Principal Investigator:** Michael S Kay
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $61,501
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2018-07-01 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10156609

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10156609, Enhancing Lab Safety Curriculum and Culture (3T32GM122740-03S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10156609. Licensed CC0.

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