# Interdisciplinary Training Program in Metabolism

> **NIH NIH T32** · UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH · 2021 · $373,088

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Established in 2011, the University of Utah Interdisciplinary T32 Training Program in Metabolism prepares
predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees for successful careers in biomedical research, enabling them with the
knowledge and scientific expertise to rigorously study the metabolic basis of diabetes, obesity and their
comorbidities as well as providing them the leadership and professional skills to launch successful research
careers in academia or industry. The program comprises mentored research, career development activities,
and coursework while providing extensive opportunities for trainees to network with elite researchers on
campus and around the globe. This program leverages University of Utah’s Diabetes and Metabolism
Research Center (DMRC), which serves as the foundational infrastructure of this training program. The DMRC
enriches the trainee experience through the facilitation of enrichment activities (eg. Seminars in Metabolism
Lecture Series, Metabolism Research In Progress meetings, DMRC Annual Symposium), administration of
pilot and feasibility grants, fostering innovation in DMRC-related cores, facilitation of the recruitment of new
DMRC faculty, and execution of online communication platforms. Key elements in this training program include
1) strong mentor-based training in basic and clinical investigation, 2) rigorous didactic curriculum including a
core curriculum in metabolism as well as specific training in research methodologies and grant writing, 3) a
lecture series focused on metabolism with internal and external speakers, 4) tailored career mentoring with
individual development plans to ensure a successful transition to the next stage of their career, and 4)
presentation and outreach opportunities to develop communication skills. The training faculty include 29 DMRC
members with stable extramural funding and dynamic research programs from eight departments within the
School of Medicine, College of Health, and College of Pharmacy. These participating faculty members are
organized into four themes: Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms, Lipid Metabolism and Adipose Biology,
Mitochondrial Biology, Immunological Mechanisms, and Diabetes Complications and Vascular Biology.
Clinically qualified trainees are recruited from fellowship training programs in Endocrinology, and PhD postdocs
are recruited nationally into faculty laboratories. Predoctoral candidates are recruited from the programs in
Molecular Biology, Biological Chemistry, and Nutrition and Integrative Physiology. Successful applicants are
awarded a two-year appointment in the program. To date, the program has provided fellowships and helped to
launch careers for 16 postdoctoral fellows and 12 predoctoral trainees. Given our expansion of graduate
programs, increased recruitment of DMRC faculty, and increased number of applicants, we request expansion
of our program to provide support or four predoctoral and three postdoctoral trainees annually. This program
...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10172419
- **Project number:** 2T32DK091317-11
- **Recipient organization:** UTAH STATE HIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEM--UNIVERSITY OF UTAH
- **Principal Investigator:** SCOTT A SUMMERS
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $373,088
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2011-07-01 → 2026-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10172419

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10172419, Interdisciplinary Training Program in Metabolism (2T32DK091317-11). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10172419. Licensed CC0.

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