# Breathing Research and Therapeutics (BREATHE)

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA · 2022 · $454,156

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
We propose renewed funding of the Breathing Research and Therapeutics (BREATHE) Training Program at the
University of Florida (UF). This combined predoctoral and postdoctoral training program, which began in 2017,
is focused on the respiratory neuromuscular system, emphasizing discovery of new knowledge and its translation
to severe clinical disorders that compromise breathing capacity, stability and airway defense. In just over 4
years, with a “ramp-up” of 2 years, we established an internationally known training program with a “unique
focus, unlike any other” (quote from anonymous NIH reviewer); we are unaware of any other T32 with a similar
concentration on breathing and airway defense in traumatic, ischemic, infectious or degenerative clinical
disorders, despite their high cumulative prevalence and importance. Nine predoctoral and 7 postdoctoral trainees
have been funded through the BREATHE training program, including those supported by institutional match
funds; all graduates thus far have continued in academic, biomedical or research positions (eg. assistant
professor, clinical research director, K99 awardee, postdoc fellows, grant writer). We successfully recruited
demographically and scientifically diverse trainees (56% women, 31% underrepresented groups, 44% clinically
qualified, 19% engineering backgrounds). In this renewal application, we seek funds to continue building and
refining this unique program, with the goal of training the next generation of scientists devoted to preserving
and restoring breathing and airway defense in clinical disorders that most often end life by respiratory
failure. Our intent is to establish a cohort of respiratory scientists with diverse backgrounds capable of engaging
in basic discovery and/or clinical/translational research, with the necessary background and skills to work
independently and in interdisciplinary teams. BREATHE emphasizes training in respiratory neural and muscle
plasticity, and development of new therapeutic strategies to treat patients with compromised breathing capacity,
stability and/or airway defense. Our objectives are: 1) recruit a diverse cohort of high-quality basic science and
clinical predoctoral (3/year) and postdoctoral (4/year) trainees with an interest in breathing research and
therapeutics, and potential for independent research careers; 2) implement a carefully designed training program
that provides predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees with solid foundations in respiratory biology, airway defense
and translational research, and the technical, analytical and professional skills necessary for productive research
careers; and 3) foster an interdisciplinary, collaborative research environment conducive to preparing scientists
for successful careers in interdisciplinary research. The UF environment includes collaborative faculty mentors
with diverse and complementary expertise, state-of-the-art facilities, ongoing translational research partnerships...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10495502
- **Project number:** 2T32HL134621-06A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
- **Principal Investigator:** Gordon S. Mitchell
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $454,156
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2017-04-15 → 2027-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10495502

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10495502, Breathing Research and Therapeutics (BREATHE) (2T32HL134621-06A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10495502. Licensed CC0.

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