# Integrated Physiology Training: Molecule to Organism

> **NIH NIH T32** · MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN · 2022 · $184,253

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Over the last twenty years, training in Physiology departments throughout the country has undergone a
transformation that creates a challenge for students seeking an understanding of the discipline at the whole animal
to the cellular and molecular levels. One exception is the Physiology Department of the Medical College of
Wisconsin (MCW), that offers exceptional research training emphasizing the integration of knowledge at all of
these levels, and the relationship of this knowledge to human disease processes. In our current proposal, we will
continue providing this outstanding training in cellular, molecular, and whole animal Physiology for 6 NIH-
supported trainees each year. In addition, we request funds to provide stipends for 6 rising 2nd year medical
students enrolled at MCW to spend 11 weeks during the summer engaged in research in the laboratory of one
of our faculty to enhance recruitment of medical students into biomedical research. Unique aspects of the
proposed PhD training are the multidisciplinary mentoring program and opportunities for translational research
fostered by a highly collaborative basic science and clinical faculty. Graduate students will be recruited nationally
and selected for admission on the basis of undergraduate academic credentials, previous research experience,
and commitment to a career in research. Students must successfully complete the requirements of the first two
years of graduate school before being considered for T32 support. Selection of T32 trainees will be based on
performance in course work, the preliminary examination and in research. Trainees are full-time Ph.D. candidates
in the MCW Graduate School, and will complete a research that includes use of the techniques in molecular,
cellular, tissue, and whole-animal or clinical investigation. Research training is supervised by Physiology faculty
along with co-mentors from other basic science and clinical departments. Trainees will undergo continuous
evaluation by utilizing Individual Development Plans created upon matriculation, which are reviewed and updated
yearly. The major objective is to provide trainees with a broad foundation in interdisciplinary basic science and
translational research through developing critical thinking, integrative reasoning, and technical skills required to
succeed in evolving research careers focused on the prevention of hypertension, stroke, and respiratory diseases.
An innovative feature of the training is the emphasis on addressing the national need to train for the integrated-
systems approaches that represent the future of biomedical research in the post-genomic era. The success of
our program in research is indicated by the 47 first-authored publications from 24 T32 supported graduates over
the past 10 years (Table 5A), and their contribution to 51 manuscripts coauthored with other students or faculty,
indicative of our highly collaborative training program. Another measure of overall success of our p...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10439685
- **Project number:** 5T32HL007852-25
- **Recipient organization:** MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN
- **Principal Investigator:** Matthew Robert Hodges
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $184,253
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1996-07-01 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10439685

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10439685, Integrated Physiology Training: Molecule to Organism (5T32HL007852-25). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10439685. Licensed CC0.

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