# Interdisciplinary Training in Pathobiology and Rehabilitation Medicine.

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM · 2024 · $435,146

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The overarching goal of the mixed predoctoral and postdoctoral T32HD071866 training program is to develop
burgeoning scientists into future leaders in translational rehabilitation research – scientists who are equipped to
test and disseminate novel rehabilitative strategies that will alleviate impairment and compromised life quality
in the face of chronic disease management. To meet this goal, we will build on achievements during the first
two funding cycles, as the program grew in number of trainees and established a reputation that attracts high
caliber applicants nationwide. The now proven program leverages an exceptionally rich institutional
environment that offers myriad resources, and a collaborative team of mentors who are deeply committed to
training and career development. Trainees benefit from two years of interdisciplinary training that carefully
meld three core levels of scientific inquiry: : (i) cellular, molecular, and computational pathobiology; (ii)
rehabilitation science/physiology; and (iii) epidemiology, clinical trials, and outcomes research. Based upon the
strength of expertise in our mentors, translational rehabilitation research training in the renewal period three
areas of concentrated strength: 1) Musculoskeletal Disorders, (2) Neurologic Diseases, and 3)
Cardiopulmonary Diseases. Predoctoral trainees are selected from a highly competitive and diverse national
pool admitted to a UAB graduate program (e.g., Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Rehabilitation Science).
Nationally recruited postdoctoral trainees leverage institutionally funded training/career development programs
tailored to meet diverse postdoctoral training goals. Each trainee’s primary mentor and Translational Mentoring
Team are drawn from expert program faculty across multiple UAB Colleges and Schools. Together the trainee,
mentor, and Translational Mentoring Team craft an individual development plan, approved and monitored
semi-annually by the Executive Committee. The plan includes coursework, laboratory and clinical research,
professional development programs, workshops, presentations locally and at national meetings, and training in
the responsible conduct of research. Learning to conduct and publish high-impact research is a primary focus.
The program will continue mentoring 3 predoctoral and 4 postdoctoral trainees each year, and will leverage
expansive resources to continue to maximize recruitment and training of underrepresented minorities and
individuals with disabilities. As a top 25 NIH-funded academic medical center with over 80 state-of-the-art
scientific core facilities and a connected network of University-wide, interdisciplinary research centers; the
University of Alabama at Birmingham is remarkably well-positioned to cultivate truly translational scientists
equipped to drive the field of rehabilitation medicine with cutting edge research.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10828761
- **Project number:** 5T32HD071866-12
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA AT BIRMINGHAM
- **Principal Investigator:** Thomas W Buford
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $435,146
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2012-09-04 → 2028-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10828761

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10828761, Interdisciplinary Training in Pathobiology and Rehabilitation Medicine. (5T32HD071866-12). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10828761. Licensed CC0.

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