# Training Grant in Diabetes and Endocrinology to Enhance Metabolic Healthspan

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA · 2024 · $315,850

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
In the setting of the burgeoning obesity epidemic, metabolic health involving diabetes, diabetes-related risk
factors and diabetes-related complications increasingly burden the US health care system. Yet, even as the
disease burden increases, the number of investigators committed to finding ways to prevent and treat
metabolic diseases has lagged persistently behind. The University of Minnesota (UMN) has held a T32 training
grant since 1977 with demonstrated success. Within the last 10 years (n=13 trainees), 10 (77%) are in
research related fields, 5 (38.4%) are Assistant Professors, and 7 (54%) are associated with NIH grants (either
PI or Co-I). To drive the success of the T32 training program moving forward, we have assembled an
outstanding, complementary leadership team (MPI between Drs Chow and Bernlohr) and sharpened the
current proposal’s focus to leverage the recent flourishing success of UMN investigators in metabolic
healthspan, the preservation of metabolic health. The proposed T32 program will provide advanced training in
state-of-the-art research focused on the mechanisms affecting metabolic healthspan and enhancing metabolic
health. To achieve this goal, we will employ a multifaceted approach inspired by our past history to train four
postdoctoral students (MD, PhD or MD/PhD) per year for up to 2 years per trainee. The training approach
includes the following: #1 Provide trainees with the skill sets necessary to perform multidisciplinary research
regarding metabolic healthspan, #2 Provide high quality mentorship, now involving Senior/Associate Mentors
(mentor dyads) to support trainee and Associate Mentor development, #3 Provide an outstanding environment
fusing research and clinical training for physician and PhD trainees, #4 Provide skill development, including the
experience of writing a F32 or alternative career development grant during the second year, for trainees to
thrive in academic medicine and #5 Establish programs that enhance recruitment and retention of diverse
trainees. The overarching objective of the proposed UMN T32 program is to train physicians and scientists for
research careers focused on enhancing metabolic healthspan while providing a thoughtfully-designed training
environment focused on meeting the unique development needs of postdoctoral fellows as they define their
career and research goals.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10834103
- **Project number:** 5T32DK007203-45
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
- **Principal Investigator:** David A Bernlohr
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $315,850
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1977-08-01 → 2028-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10834103

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10834103, Training Grant in Diabetes and Endocrinology to Enhance Metabolic Healthspan (5T32DK007203-45). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10834103. Licensed CC0.

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