# Training Program in Chemosensory Science

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA · 2022 · $187,061

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
The overall goal of this T32 Institutional National Research Science Award proposal is to support predoctoral
training in chemical senses research through the Training Program in Chemosensory Science (TPCS) at the
University of Florida. The study of the chemical senses (smell, taste, chemesthesis and internal
chemosensing) has broad impacts on human health, including: the effects of smell or taste impairments (e.g.,
anosmia, phantom tastes, etc.) on eating, nutrition, safety, interpersonal relationships and the incidence of
depression; the engagement of normal smell and taste to promote healthy eating; the contribution of
maladaptive chemosensory behaviors to overconsumption and its related diseases (e.g., diabetes,
hypertension, etc.); and the control of disease vectors and parasites through disruption of host seeking or
reproduction. Unfortunately, chemosensory scientists with the appropriate methodological expertise and
requisite knowledge in this multidisciplinary field continue to be in short supply. This need creates a strong
impetus for building an integrative predoctoral training program in chemosensory science. The chemosensory
research community at the University of Florida – highly diverse in research questions and methodologies, but
organized and integrated through the UF Center for Smell and Taste – is uniquely positioned to lead this
program.The TPCS has four Specific Aims: (1) To conduct a successful program of predoctoral training in
chemosensory science composed of a didactic curriculum, a series of chemical senses research-focused
discussions, a mentored research experience, internships in non-academic settings, a patient outreach
experience, and professional development; (2) To link predoctoral trainees with strong research mentors and a
multidisciplinary committee of experienced investigators; (3) To recruit talented and diverse trainees from
national and local pools of eligible candidates; and (4) To evaluate the program in terms of educational
objectives tailored to the pre-doctoral program. This application seeks five years' funding for the TPCS to
eventually support four predoctoral students per year (two in each of two years of training support per trainee)
with the aim of producing independent scientists capable of making significant contributions to the science of
smell, taste and chemesthesis. At the conclusion of the period of support, a diverse group of predoctoral
trainees will have been mentored and taught the advanced methods, fundamental knowledge, and
multidisciplinary approaches necessary to further chemosensory research. Additionally, our unique internship
component of training will provide our trainees with substantive exposure to alternative careers in
chemosensory science. Together, this program provides a comprehensive training in chemosensory science
that will effectively prepare our trainees for the wealth of chemosensory science careers available.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10439463
- **Project number:** 5T32DC015994-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
- **Principal Investigator:** Steven D Munger
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $187,061
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-07-01 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10439463

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10439463, Training Program in Chemosensory Science (5T32DC015994-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10439463. Licensed CC0.

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