# Musculoskeletal Research Training Program

> **NIH NIH T32** · MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER · 2022 · $566,294

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
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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. This program aims to train future biologists, engineers, and physicians/surgeons to solve
orthopedic and musculoskeletal problems by providing outstanding 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, and clinical research of orthopedics and 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:** 10403945
- **Project number:** 5T32AR056950-14
- **Recipient organization:** MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Jennifer J Westendorf
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $566,294
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2009-05-01 → 2024-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10403945

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10403945, Musculoskeletal Research Training Program (5T32AR056950-14). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10403945. Licensed CC0.

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