# Cardiovascular Surgery Training Program

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA · 2022 · $508,979

## Abstract

This is a competitive renewal for a multidisciplinary CardioVascular Surgery Training Program (CVSTP) that
is currently in its 20th year. The number of cardiovascular surgeons conducting research is diminishing,
and there is a need to provide quality research training for aspiring academic cardiovascular surgeons.
Thus, the goal of the CVSTP is to provide surgery residents with training in basic, translational or clinical
research to foster their development into independent surgeon-scientists. The Department of Surgery, together
with the Robert M. Berne Cardiovascular Research Center and other departments within the School of
Medicine, propose to continue and enhance a rigorous and successful research training program in the
disciplines of vascular or end-organ function following transplantation or surgery. NIH support is requested
for six MD postdocs (surgery residents) per year, each for a 2-year period. Trainees will choose between a
basic research track or a clinical research track, which provide clear, defined options available to meet
their interests and training needs. Administratively, the program will be led by PD team comprised of a senior
surgeon-scientist and a senior basic scientist. Program oversight will be provided by a Steering Committee (for
overall program function), individual Mentoring Committees (function like a thesis committee for each trainee),
and an External Advisory Board. The program is composed of four areas: 1) A mentor-guided research
experience is at the heart of the program where trainees work on a broad range of basic or clinical research
topics in a collaborative atmosphere. Trainees learn to use a variety of approaches to rigorously test
hypotheses. 2) Didactic training is provided in life skills, responsible conduct of research, epidemiology and
vascular biology. Trainees in the basic research track can pursue a Certificate in Public Health Sciences or a
PhD degree. Trainees in the clinical research track can matriculate in either a Master of Public Health
(MPH) or a Master of Science in Clinical Research (MS-CR) program. 3) Required activities for trainees
include a research seminar series, presentations at monthly research-in-progress meetings, an annual
Department of Surgery “Resident Research Day”, presentations at national conferences, and publications. 4)
Evaluation of trainee progress, essential to meet the evolving needs of future trainees, will be performed using
a multi-layered mechanism, including individual development plans, to ensure the success of the training
experience. Trainees will also evaluate both mentors and the CVSTP. Strengths of the program include:
a) a team of 21 experienced, multidisciplinary faculty preceptors with extramural funding, b) strong
collaborative links among faculty conducting basic and/or clinical research in thoracic and cardiovascular
medicine, c) comprehensive course offerings and degree options, and d) a wide variety of research
opportunities available to traine...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10355417
- **Project number:** 5T32HL007849-22
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Irving L. Kron
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $508,979
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1998-07-01 → 2026-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10355417

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10355417, Cardiovascular Surgery Training Program (5T32HL007849-22). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10355417. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*