Michigan Chemistry-Biology Interface Training Program

NIH RePORTER · NIH · T32 · $549,359 · view on reporter.nih.gov ↗

Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The University of Michigan proposes the renewal of a predoctoral Chemistry-Biology Interface (CBI) Training Program, whose overarching training mission is to implement effective approaches to training and mentoring for students working across the chemistry-biology continuum. Our core objectives remain to 1) recruit and retain high quality and diverse trainees, 2) provide a unique interdisciplinary training experience that adds value to training from the home graduate program, and 3) provide mentorship and training strongly supporting successful Ph.D. degrees and life- long productive careers in a broad range of research related settings. The CBI Training Program faculty includes chemical biologists, synthetic organic and inorganic chemists, bioorganic chemists, bioanalytical chemists, mechanistic enzymologists, spectroscopists, and structural biologists from eight departments. From these departments and one free-standing graduate program a diverse cohort of talented and promising second-year PhD students will be selected and appointed for two years. A total of 10 trainees per year for five years are requested. The CBI didactic component includes two core courses in Chemical Biology and a seminar. This curriculum also includes a novel student sabbatical to be completed in an external, broadly defined, research-related environment. Based on former trainee feedback on its outsized influence on their careers, this experiential sabbatical program is one of the most unique and impactful training opportunities available to University of Michigan CBI trainees. Additional CBI career exploration and professional development occur via an annual symposium, invited career and scientific speakers, and regular trainee meetings. Interactions at these latter monthly meetings and close attention one-on-one mentoring promote a supportive and inclusive CBI trainee community. Research opportunities for CBI trainees are widely varied across chemical biology and include access to the most sophisticated techniques and cutting-edge instrumentation in modern chemical biology research. Both research and classroom training emphasize responsible conduct in research and strategies for conducting reproducible research with the highest standards of scientific rigor. The ability to positively impact trainees is supported by an emphasis on maintaining a diverse and inclusive training environment, expanding trainee exposure to non-traditional careers, increasing mentor training, and extending career support beyond the PhD period. Overall, the rationale for this integrated program is to provide the supplemental interdisciplinary training, professional skills, and the career savvy for CBI trainees to successfully advance chemical biology solutions to biomedical research problems.

Key facts

NIH application ID
10846227
Project number
2T32GM132046-06
Recipient
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR
Principal Investigator
Kristin S Koutmou
Activity code
T32
Funding institute
NIH
Fiscal year
2024
Award amount
$549,359
Award type
2
Project period
2019-07-01 → 2029-06-30