# Research Training in Chemistry and Chemical Biology

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · 2023 · $636,642

## Abstract

Project Summary
The goal of the UCSF Chemistry and Chemical Biology (CCB) predoctoral training program is to foster research
in the use of chemical strategies to probe fundamental biological questions. The overall program curriculum
focuses on: 1) rigorous didactic and hands-on training courses at the chemistry-biology interface in the first year;
2) research rotations in three different labs during that same year; 3) selection of a thesis advisor and
development of an independent research proposal at the end of the first year; 4) an intensive oral qualifying
exam in the second year; 5) individual thesis research with a focus on impact, collaboration and publication and
finally; 6) a dissertation seminar. Integrated throughout this training program, from the first day to the last, are
activities that train and encourage trainees to: i) develop skills in responsible conduct of research (RCR), rigor &
reproducibility and chemical and biological safety; ii) openly receive and give feedback through evaluation and
assessment tools; iii) foster career interests, including use of Individual Development Plans (IDPs); iv) enhance
written and oral communication skills; (v) celebrate diversity and a sense of community and vi) gain training in
critical analysis via journal clubs, seminars and minicourses. The research in the CCB program is highly inter-
disciplinary and broadly categorized as: biological chemistry and synthetic biology, computational chemistry and
biology, chemical synthesis and natural products, drug discovery and design, macromolecular structure and
function and protein and cellular engineering. To enact this training program, the CCB program is not associated
with a specific department; rather, we bring together 48 faculty from nine different academic departments and
two research institutes across UCSF’s world-class research enterprise. These faculty are rigorously and
holistically evaluated by the CCB Executive Committee, for excellence in research, mentoring and commitment
to diversity, and these faculty are required to complete annual mentor training. They are among the best
scientists in the world (3 HHMI Investigators, 10 NAS members; Lasker, Kavli Prize winners; avg $808,000/yr in
funding). Oversight of the CCB program is maintained by the Executive Committee, along with an engaged Dean
of the UCSF Graduate School and an expert External Advisory Committee. This CBI proposal builds on 20+
years of educational excellence at the chemistry-biology interface and it has no equivalent elsewhere on the
UCSF campus. Approximately 12 students are enrolled annually from a pool of ~220 applicants after a rigorous
application process that culminates in personal interviews. Enrolled students from under-represented minority
(URM) groups now represent ~16% of the total, with an overall M/F ratio of ~50%. The URM candidates, those
from disadvantaged backgrounds and students with disabilities are actively sought in an extensive series of
outreach pro...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10624303
- **Project number:** 5T32GM145460-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO
- **Principal Investigator:** Jason E Gestwicki
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $636,642
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-07-01 → 2027-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10624303

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10624303, Research Training in Chemistry and Chemical Biology (5T32GM145460-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10624303. Licensed CC0.

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