# Pediatric Gastroenterology Research Training Program

> **NIH NIH T32** · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $504,095

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The goal of this training grant is to equip junior investigators with the skills to make enduring contributions to
child digestive health, which encompasses processes that are critical for the survival, growth, and well-being
of people and populations. We achieve this goal by providing immersive research training at Washington
University in fields relevant to digestive health of children worldwide. The rationale for our training program is
based on two premises: (1) high quality early career training is critical for producing individuals who will make
meaningful and lasting impact on the field, and (2) too few individuals are adequately trained to solve problems
relevant to the childhood digestive system. Mentors across all disciplines share dedication to research
relevant to digestive health of children, have strong training records, are very well supported by federal and
foundation grants, and integrate our T32 trainees into existing projects to prepare them for productive scholarly
careers. Track I (Microbial–Host interactions in the Gastrointestinal Tract) trainees determine how gut
pathogens and microbial populations beneficially or harmfully affect childhood digestive health. Track II
(Cellular and Molecular Biology of the Developing Gastrointestinal Tract) trainees dissect molecular and
genetic aspects of congenital and acquired disorders of the childhood gastrointestinal system and host
response to inflammatory stimuli. Track III (Translational Biology of the Gastrointestinal Tract) trainees use
data from humans and populations to further knowledge of digestive disorders of childhood. This program will
fund four post-doctoral (MD, PhD, or MD-PhD) drawn from our traditional base of pediatric gastroenterology
fellows and post-doctoral trainees, strengthened in the past five years by extension to surgical residents. We
will also fund members of the expanding community of PhD and MSTP students interested in the problems we
strive to solve by also funding pre-doctoral candidates and Medical Scientist Training Program enrollees.
Applicants to the program will receive two years of highly mentored support, including an external mentor
system. We will also expand our portfolio of training opportunities to include large data base analysis,
nationwide cohort study training, and implementation science. We will also co-sponsor an annual retreat
focused on issues of diversity, equity, and inclusivity in our training, research, and clinical care. The program
will also remain integrated into the Washington University Digestive Diseases Research Core Center
(DDRCC). The trainees we fund also strengthen multilevel collaborations between gastroenterology and
surgical research in our institution. Our intent is to produce scientists with enduring interests in childhood
digestive diseases and their causes, treatments, and prevention, by our cohorts of trainees and mentors who
share complementary goals and skills.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10834275
- **Project number:** 5T32DK077653-32
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** PHILLIP I TARR
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $504,095
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1991-07-01 → 2028-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10834275

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10834275, Pediatric Gastroenterology Research Training Program (5T32DK077653-32). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10834275. Licensed CC0.

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