# Training Program in Developmental Biology

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO · 2024 · $212,214

## Abstract

Project Summary
 The core objective 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.
 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 molecular and cellular basis of
development, computation/modeling/systems level approaches in developing systems, and evolutionary
developmental biology. During the ongoing third funding period, strategic new hires have enabled the DBTP to
expand in areas of developmental neurobiology, stem cell biology, and biophysical approaches to
development, and through affiliation with the MBL to exploit a wider array of non-traditional models. The DBTP
trainers are a vibrant group of thirty-four well-funded researchers, including experienced senior faculty and
talented junior faculty, based in eight BSD departments, the adjacent Chemistry department, the Pritzker
School of Molecular Engineering, and at our affiliate organization the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL).
 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 in year 1, and then increase that number
to five trainees in years 2-5 to take advantage of the expanding pool of students with interests in our new joint
graduate program with the MBL. 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, a unique new lab-based Embryology course at the MBL, a requirement for quantitative/computational
training, and an extensive range of supplemental training-related activities. Among these activities are the
DBTP sponsored developmental biology seminar series and data club (associated with our required
communications course), an annual retreat, and student-run DBTP-sponsored symposia. Our training plan
ensures students develop broad transferable skills—including communication, networking, teaching,
computation, and rigorous critical analysis—key to their success in the biomedical research workforce. In
summary, the DBTP integrates a range of training approaches to prepare future leaders in developmental
biology research and education. The success of the DBTP is de...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10847189
- **Project number:** 2T32HD055164-16
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
- **Principal Investigator:** Sally Horne-Badovinac
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $212,214
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2008-06-01 → 2029-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10847189

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10847189, Training Program in Developmental Biology (2T32HD055164-16). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10847189. Licensed CC0.

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