# Chemosensory Training Program

> **NIH NIH T32** · FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY · 2023 · $278,230

## Abstract

Summary
This Chemosensory Training Program (CTP), operating within the interdisciplinary Program in
Neuroscience at Florida State University, is a continuing application in its 25th year. The CTP
Program is geared to train the next generation of researchers to become leaders in basic neural
mechanisms of chemosensory systems interfaced with behavior. The program prepares 4 pre-
and 2 post-doctoral trainees for research careers focused on olfactory and gustatory senses in
context. One important context is the regulation of food intake and metabolic state,
dysregulation of which can lead to obesity and diabetes, or anorexia. The powerful links
between chemosensory systems and brain circuitry associated with emotional, motivational, and
neuromodulatory processes requires a wide perspective for full understanding. The broad long-
term objective is to provide the basic neuroscience platform upon which clinical understanding
of chemosensory disease is built using a wide spectrum of experimental approaches including
molecular neurobiology, neurophysiology, biophysics, psychophysics, and behavioral analysis.
The strength of the CTP program that anticipates to provide 2 and 4 years of training for
approximately five post- and fifteen pre-doctoral scholars, respectively, is the close guidance of
trainees by expert faculty whom are accustomed to productive collaborations fostered from a
wealth of historical chemosensory knowledge that shapes cutting-edge investigations for
training. Trainees have access to state-of-the-art custom-designed chemosensory equipment,
technical support staff, and new building infrastructure to perform their research. Value-added
activities include – 1) chemosensory tutorials (readings and lab practicum), 2) evening gather-
ings (presentations, rigor and reproducibility training, and webinars), 3) chemosensory retreat
(research progress/sharing and mentor/mentee career development), 4) structured oral, written,
and analysis skill building and feedback, 5) depth of a continually evolving curriculum, and 6) an
opportunity for alumni and speaker interaction that relays latest discoveries, allows career
networking, and provides supplementary evaluation of the training program. The CTP Training
Outcomes continue to be outstanding as reflected in published productivity, trainee extramural
grants, and job placement (95%-predoc and 100%- postdoc in research-intensive and -related
positions). Ten expert chemosensory trainers will shape the intellectual and scientific practice of
trainees at two levels as they bridge to independent and externally-funded scientific research
programs in chemosensory problems important for the quality of life and human health.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10646385
- **Project number:** 5T32DC000044-29
- **Recipient organization:** FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** DEBRA Ann FADOOL
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $278,230
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1995-07-01 → 2025-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10646385

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10646385, Chemosensory Training Program (5T32DC000044-29). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10646385. Licensed CC0.

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