# The Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Disease Epidemiology and Outcomes Training Program at the University of North Carolina

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · 2024 · $130,497

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The goal of the Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Disease (RMD) Epidemiology and Outcomes Training
Program at the University of North Carolina is to provide state-of-the-art resources and a rich
environment to train independent interdisciplinary researchers who will improve our understanding of
the magnitude, etiology, impact, and treatment of RMDs, and who will assume leadership roles in RMD
epidemiology and outcomes research. An estimated 1 billion prevalent cases and over one hundred
thousand deaths were attributed to RMDs in 2017, which combined with the pending shortage of
rheumatologists underscores the need for trained researchers to advance RMD epidemiology and outcomes
research now and into the future. We propose to establish a robust training program in the University of North
Carolina Department of Medicine’s Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, and Immunology (RAI) and the Thurston
Arthritis Research Center (TARC) focused on epidemiology and outcomes research in RMDs to address the
critical need for an enhanced interprofessional workforce trained to understand the etiology and clinical
management of RMDs. This will directly address the objective of the NRSA T32 program to enhance research
training opportunities for trainees interested in biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research relevant to the NIH
mission. The UNC RMD Epidemiology and Outcomes Training Program will include pre- and postdoctoral
trainees from diverse backgrounds. It will include the following features: Clear core methodologic and content-
related competencies to be met by trainees, and supported by the existing infrastructure at UNC and TARC,
including our NIAMS-funded Core Center for Clinical Research; linkages to formal training programs in
epidemiologic methods and biostatistics (from courses to full degree-granting programs) to provide a strong
foundation in research design and analytic techniques, including those through the North Carolina
Translational and Clinical Sciences Institute; emphasis on design, execution, analysis, and publication of
research projects to enhance the ability of the trainee to conceptualize and think through research problems
with increasing independence; experienced and dedicated mentors to guide the developing investigator. We
will emphasize rigor and reproducibility, data science principles, and the responsible conduct of research in an
inclusive and supportive training program. The program will benefit from strong leadership, outstanding faculty
from Schools and Departments across the university, and the strong research infrastructure of RAI, TARC, and
UNC.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10846138
- **Project number:** 1T32AR082310-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- **Principal Investigator:** LEIGH Fleming CALLAHAN
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $130,497
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-05-01 → 2029-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10846138

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10846138, The Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Disease Epidemiology and Outcomes Training Program at the University of North Carolina (1T32AR082310-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10846138. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*