# Mechanisms of Health and Disease at the Behavioral-Biomedical Interface

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIVERSITY OF IOWA · 2021 · $220,319

## Abstract

Abstract
The interface of behavioral and biomedical sciences is one of the most vibrant frontiers of science today.
The overarching objective of our NIGMS-funded predoctoral Training Program, Mechanisms of Health and
Disease at the Behavioral-Biomedical Interface, is to train the next generation of diverse behavioral
science researchers to utilize rigorous biomedical methodologies and conceptual frameworks that stretch
the boundaries of their thinking and research to position them to make transformative breakthroughs in
addressing issues of health and disease. The program provides predoctoral behavioral science students
in the University of Iowa Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences with an integrated program of
coursework and laboratory experiences. These include (1) broad-based training in the fundamentals of
behavioral science including rigor and transparency, quantitative methodology and experimental design,
responsible conduct of research, and key issues in health psychology, clinical psychology, and
neuroscience; (2) In-depth training in pathophysiology and specific biomedical research areas (including
conceptual framework, driving hypotheses, and laboratory techniques); and (3) guidance and mentoring
for development and implementation of an innovative independent research program that spans both
behavioral and biomedical science. The Training Program focuses on two themes: Lifespan Brain Health
and Psychobiology of Chronic Disease and Women's Health. Behavioral mentors are from Psychological
and Brain Sciences; Biomedical mentors come from the Colleges of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing.
Over the first 3 years of NIGMS support, we have developed a highly successful Training Program that
has had far-reaching and lasting influences on a group of committed and enthusiastic students. We have
used the support slots provided by the T32 grant and the two matching slots provided by the Graduate
College of the U. of Iowa to recruit outstanding diverse students and to provide a catalyst for this program,
which has matured into a vibrant setting for scientific exchange between behavioral science students and
biomedical mentors and their labs. Since the start of the program, in addition to our 8 T32 funded
students, we have had 25 additional trainees take advantage of the Training Program, including 7 diverse
students. We have developed a program of seminars and retreats, featuring professional development,
science communication, manuscript and grant writing, and discussions of cutting-edge research at the
Behavioral-Biomedical interface. In sum, the NIGMS support for 4 students/year has returned large
dividends on the investment. This renewal application requests the continuation of 4 slots per year so that
we can build upon our strong foundation to continue this innovative program for another funding cycle.
The program is highly relevant to public health because training at the behavioral-biomedical interface will
enable these scientis...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10176525
- **Project number:** 5T32GM108540-08
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
- **Principal Investigator:** SUSAN K LUTGENDORF
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $220,319
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2014-07-01 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10176525

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10176525, Mechanisms of Health and Disease at the Behavioral-Biomedical Interface (5T32GM108540-08). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10176525. Licensed CC0.

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