# Renal Epidemiology Training Grant

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · 2021 · $281,699

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
The goal of the Renal Epidemiology Training Program is to prepare pre- and postdoctoral trainees
to design, conduct, and analyze independent study in the expansive kidney-related fields of
research. Under the direction of Dr. Ronald Falk, this training program has been continually
funded since 1999. Pre- and postdoctoral trainees develop skills in tracks associated with
epidemiology or with translational research. We train both adult and pediatric nephrology
subspecialty trainees in the postdoctoral positions. Trainees choose to obtain advanced degrees
from the UNC Epidemiology Department (MPH, MSCR or PhD) or through the Biological and
Biomedical Sciences Program (PhD). Postdoctoral trainees may choose to advance their
research capacity without earning another degree. Trainees interested in clinical research
typically focus on specific kidney disorders such as the glomerular diseases or vasculitis. Trainees
interested in translational research also train in mentors’ research laboratories. All training is
centered in the UNC Kidney Center in collaboration with the Departments of Epidemiology,
Genetics, Health Policy & Management, Microbiology & Immunology, Nutrition, Pathology &
Laboratory Medicine, and Social Medicine. This expansion reflects the multidisciplinary approach
to our training, although we have maintained our original program title (The Renal Epidemiology
Training Grant). Trainees attend required degree courses, structured seminars, and conferences,
and their progress in the program is reviewed twice per year. Guidance is provided by mentoring
teams comprised of faculty with expertise and established collaborative research interests across
diverse areas of current interest in kidney research. Pre-doctoral trainees typically train with us
from 2 to 4 years during the dissertation phase of their degree. Postdoctoral trainees typically
train with us for 2 years, and MDs in the translational track typically train for 3 to 4 years. Trainees
are immersed in topics addressing the scope and impact of research needed in the field of kidney
disease, reviews of the relevant literature, development of research initiatives, data analysis and
preparation of abstracts, research presentations, manuscripts and grants. There is also training
in numerous topics in the responsible conduct of research, rigor and transparency in research,
and sex as a biologic variable. We currently have 3 pre-doctoral and 3 postdoctoral trainee
positions per year. We are requesting a continuation of our 3 pre-doctoral slots per year and a
reduction to 2 postdoctoral slots per year. This reduction will help us to integrate a more selective
selection process in conjunction with more intensive career mentoring to assure that all trainees,
especially postdoctoral trainees, are supported and ready to continue in research careers. All
positions have been filled since 1999 with highly qualified trainees. To date, we have trained 12
pre-doctoral trainees with 11 seeking...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10210384
- **Project number:** 5T32DK007750-23
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- **Principal Investigator:** Ronald J Falk
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $281,699
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1999-03-01 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10210384

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10210384, Renal Epidemiology Training Grant (5T32DK007750-23). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10210384. Licensed CC0.

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