# Training Program in Developmental Biology

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO · 2023 · $53,270

## Abstract

The core mission of the pre-doctoral Developmental Biology Training Program (DBTP) is to produce
highly qualified, independent research scientists who are trained to take a broad interdisciplinary approach to
developmental biology problems. This mission is consistent with the philosophy of the University of Chicago's
Biological Sciences Division (BSD), which seeks to avoid artificial boundaries between disciplines and
encourage broad based interaction and collaboration. The interdisciplinary and collaborative nature of the
DBTP is enhanced by the BSD's structure: researchers in all clinical and basic science departments are
housed in close proximity and united under one administrative and intellectual framework. The DBTP trainers
are a vibrant group of thirty-six well-funded researchers, including experienced senior faculty and talented
junior faculty, based in nine BSD departments (basic science and clinical) and two adjacent Physical Sciences
departments.
 To produce researchers trained in a variety of areas relevant to human health and disease, the DBTP
builds on both long-standing and burgeoning University of Chicago strengths in developmental biology. We
have well-established strengths in the genetics of model organisms, the cellular basis of development, and
evolutionary developmental biology. During this second funding period, strategic new hires have enabled the
program to expand its research strengths in stem cell biology, the use of computation/modeling/systems level
approaches in developing systems, and in particular developmental neurobiology, a research area that is being
positively influenced by the new University of Chicago Grossman Institute for Neuroscience, Quantitative
Biology and Human Behavior.
 DBTP trainees are carefully selected from six interdisciplinary graduate training programs: training
grant support begins as they enter their second year of studies and generally extends for two years, subject to
competitive renewal. We propose to continue to support four trainees for the next two years, and then increase
that number to five trainees in years 3-5 to take advantage of the expanding pool of students with interests in
developmental neurobiology. This number of trainees will allow us to be highly selective, while maintaining a
critical cohort size. Trainees benefit from a strategically designed curriculum that includes access to six
dedicated formal courses in developmental biology, a new requirement for quantitative training, and an
extensive range of supplemental training-related activities. Among these activities are the DBTP sponsored
developmental biology seminar series and journal/data in progress club (plus associated new communications
course), an annual retreat, and regular student-run DBTP-sponsored symposia. In summary, the DBTP
integrates a wide range of varied training approaches to prepare future leaders in developmental biology
research and education.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10833332
- **Project number:** 3T32HD055164-15S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
- **Principal Investigator:** Sally Horne-Badovinac
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $53,270
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2008-06-01 → 2025-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10833332

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10833332, Training Program in Developmental Biology (3T32HD055164-15S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10833332. Licensed CC0.

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