# Musculoskeletal Research Training Program

> **NIH NIH T32** · MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER · 2021 · $126,832

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The goals of this Musculoskeletal Research Training Program are to provide trans-disciplinary research
opportunities for postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and medical students at Mayo Clinic and to train
them to be future leaders of biomedical research. Musculoskeletal ailments such as osteoarthritis,
osteoporosis, back pain, tendonopathies, sarcopenia and fractures are some of the most common reasons
why people of all ages visit a doctor. They significantly impact quality of life, cause disabilities, and pose large
personal, societal and economic burdens. The repair, regeneration, or rejuvenation of musculoskeletal tissues
and joints requires knowledge of complex and interconnected biomechanical, biological, and physiological
processes, as well as social determinants of health. This program aims to train future biologists, engineers,
computational and data scientists, and physicians/surgeons to solve orthopedic and musculoskeletal problems
by providing innovative research and educational opportunities within the setting of a state-of-the-art medical
and research center. Twenty-eight faculty members, who are leaders in basic, translational, clinical, and data
science of the musculoskeletal system, will mentor trainees by directing research projects and group
discussions on timely topics. A peer-mentoring system provides new trainees with opportunities to receive
advice and counseling from past trainees who successfully obtained independent fellowships. Postdoctoral
fellows (5 per year) and graduate students (2 per year) will engage in multiyear projects and receive training in
grant writing and career development. They will be expected to submit applications for independent fellowships
and to participate in a full array of programmatic activities, including but not limited to journal clubs, seminars,
symposia, webinars, national scientific meetings, and training in the responsible conduct of research. Medical
students (2 per year) from fully accredited medical schools in the United States and her territories (i.e., Puerto
Rico) will spend two to three months in the training program and are expected to complete a defined research
project under the guidance of a mentor(s) and to participate in programmatic educational activities. This
blended musculoskeletal research training program values individuals from diverse educational and societal
backgrounds and benefits from the unique perspectives they bring to solving complex medical problems and
reducing the burden of musculoskeletal diseases on patients, their families, and our society.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10402540
- **Project number:** 3T32AR056950-13S1
- **Recipient organization:** MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Jennifer J Westendorf
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $126,832
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2009-09-01 → 2024-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10402540

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10402540, Musculoskeletal Research Training Program (3T32AR056950-13S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-28 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10402540. Licensed CC0.

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