# Predoctoral Training: Innovative Technologies for Natural Products and Integrative Medicine Research

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA GREENSBORO · 2021 · $164,147

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Natural products (particularly botanical dietary supplements) are a billion-dollar industry in the US and continue
to serve as an important source for the development of new therapeutics. Trained biomedical researchers are
needed to evaluate the chemical composition, activity, and mechanism of action of medicinally used natural
products. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) recognizes this need in
their 2016 Strategic Plan, with the stated goal to “support research training and career development
opportunities to increase the number and quality of scientists trained to conduct rigorous, cutting-edge
research on complementary and integrative health practices.” The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
(UNCG) is a unique and ideal location for such training to occur. Our PhD program in Medicinal Biochemistry
emphasizes natural products and integrative medicine research, and we have a strong collaborative network of
faculty mentors with relevant research programs. UNCG participates in two major NCCIH funded centers that
focus on rigorous scientific investigation of botanical natural products, the Center for High Throughput
Functional Annotation of Natural Products and the Center of Excellence for Natural Product Drug Interaction
Research. To leverage the exceptional training environment at UNCG, we propose to renew a productive T32
program that has just finished its first period of funding. Drawing on a rich institutional culture of diversity at
UNCG, our T32 program provides training in the basic science of natural products and integrative medicine
while emphasizing the recruitment, retention, and success of trainees from diverse backgrounds. The program
is tailored to fit the needs of individual students, with different opportunities provided to those on academic and
industrial career paths. A unique element of our program is training in the application of cutting-edge
technologies for the analysis of complex botanical mixtures. Trainees receive hands-on instruction in this area,
making use of our exceptional NMR and mass spectrometry facilities. Our objective is to prepare trainees to
transition into independent, natural products related research careers. During its inaugural funding cycle, the
program was highly successful towards this goal, with our three graduates securing research positions in the
academic or private sector. Our trainees have also disseminated important research findings, with a total of 67
presentations at conferences and 23 publication coauthorships. With this renewal application, we build on
these past successes and on our assessment outcomes to deliver a plan for student training that will ultimately
advance research on the safe and effective use of natural products and integrative medicine.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10205231
- **Project number:** 2T32AT008938-06
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA GREENSBORO
- **Principal Investigator:** Nadja B Cech
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $164,147
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2016-03-01 → 2026-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10205231

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10205231, Predoctoral Training: Innovative Technologies for Natural Products and Integrative Medicine Research (2T32AT008938-06). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10205231. Licensed CC0.

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