# Digestive Disease Epidemiology Training Program

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · 2021 · $336,541

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The burden of digestive and liver diseases is considerable. The goal of the Digestive Disease Epidemiology
Training Program at the University of North Carolina is to train independent researchers who will improve our
understanding of the magnitude, etiology, impact and treatment of digestive and liver diseases, and who will
assume leadership roles in GI epidemiology and outcomes research. To accomplish that mission, the program
includes a comprehensive curriculum with the following features: 1) formal advanced training in epidemiologic
methods and biostatistics; 2) a 2 - 3 year period of research training culminating in an MPH, MSCR or PhD in
epidemiology; 3) emphasis on design, execution, analysis and publication of a research project; 4) mentors to
guide the developing investigator; 5) an integrative core curriculum designed to develop additional skills
necessary for an academic career; 6) concurrent training of MD and PhD candidates. The program supports
two predoctoral and three postdoctoral trainees. Postdoctoral candidates are specifically recruited and
matched to this training program. The postdoctoral trainees spend an extra year of fellowship including two
years in dedicated research training and two years in clinical training. The program takes advantage of unique
and considerable institutional strengths in public health and gastroenterology, and strong institutional
commitment. A stable, highly collaborative faculty provides trainees expert guidance in epidemiology,
biostatistics, clinical and outcomes research. The training faculty of 17 includes 15 members of the adult and
pediatric GI Divisions of whom 12 have advanced training in epidemiology or biostatistics. The research
programs of the training faculty are well funded and the faculty are highly published. Trainee progress is
monitored by mentors, a Training Advisory Committee and the program director. Trainees provide anonymous
feedback about the program leading to continuous improvement. Graduates of this program have remarkable
records of publication, outstanding methodologic training, and practical research experience to equip them for
faculty positions on completion of the fellowship.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10172888
- **Project number:** 5T32DK007634-32
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- **Principal Investigator:** ROBERT S. SANDLER
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $336,541
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1990-07-10 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10172888

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10172888, Digestive Disease Epidemiology Training Program (5T32DK007634-32). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10172888. Licensed CC0.

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