# Training in Behavioral and Preventative Medicine

> **NIH NIH T32** · MIRIAM HOSPITAL · 2024 · $514,708

## Abstract

Project Summary
This is a resubmission of our T32 entitled “Training in Behavioral and Preventive Medicine” based at the
Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center (WCDRC) in affiliation with the Center of Behavioral and
Preventive Medicine (CBPM) at The Miriam Hospital and Brown University. During this next cycle, we plan to
train 15 postdoctoral fellows for two-year periods to conduct research to reduce the burden of cardiovascular
disease (CVD) by targeting the most prominent lifestyle risk factors, namely obesity, physical inactivity, and
smoking. Given the focus on behavior and the expertise of our mentors, we propose to primarily train PhDs.
Our success is highlighted by the fact that 13 of the 14 fellows who completed training in this recent cycle have
faculty appointments and 12 have support for their research. Prior fellows were equally successful. A goal for
this next cycle is to increase the number of fellows from underrepresented racial/ethnic minority groups.
This T32 trains researchers to develop and disseminate effective interventions targeting behaviors associated
with CVD risk. The approach requires multidisciplinary training facilitated by the ongoing collaborations
between the WCDRC, CBPM, Brown Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Department of Medicine,
and School of Public Health. Our focus continues to be on changing lifestyle risk factors. However, our training
continues to evolve with the science, and we now highlight 3 exciting new directions: the importance of
prevention and thus the need to consider early antecedents and early intervention; the use of new
methodologies to optimize and disseminate effective interventions; and improving treatments for underserved
and overburdened populations. We have extensive ongoing research in each of these areas. We have retained
and augmented our successful training model for this cycle. Program Director Rena Wing, PhD, continues in
her leadership capacity and Drs. Elissa Jelalian and John Graham Thomas are Associate Directors; they work
closely with the Executive Committee, all of whom have expertise in relevant research areas and in training of
postdoctoral fellows. Training is highly individualized with all fellows developing core competencies in CVD-
related behavioral research and specialized competencies in their specific areas of research through a
combination of formal didactics and mentored research experiences. Mentoring teams are headed by a
Primary Mentor, with expertise in behavioral medicine assessment and intervention who has prior experience
in mentoring and receives formal training in mentoring and cultural sensitivity. A secondary mentor is selected
with methodological expertise or content area (public health; cardiology, pediatrics) relevance to the specific
trainee. There is a formal evaluation of mentors, trainees, and the overall training program. We feel uniquely
qualified to continue our T32 research training in behavior change and CVD.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10757418
- **Project number:** 5T32HL076134-17
- **Recipient organization:** MIRIAM HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** John Graham Thomas
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $514,708
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2006-04-01 → 2027-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10757418

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10757418, Training in Behavioral and Preventative Medicine (5T32HL076134-17). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-29 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10757418. Licensed CC0.

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