# Predoctoral Training in Integrative Neuroscience

> **NIH NIH T32** · GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $296,510

## Abstract

The Interdisciplinary Program in Neurosciences (IPN) at Georgetown University (GU) is a broad-based, non-
departmental PhD program in Neuroscience. Established in 1994 and supported by the NIH from 2001 through
2023, the IPN’s primary goal is to develop “Stewards of the Discipline” by training students in the scholarly pursuit
of research in integrative neuroscience. The 33 core training faculty and 14 supporting faculty in this application
are drawn from nine clinical and basic science departments on the Medical Center and Main Campus, co-located
in Washington, DC. IPN faculty span a breadth of inquiry; core faculty are split evenly between cellular/molecular,
systems, and cognitive sciences. IPN students are very successful, those appointed to this JSPTPN published
an average of 4.8 papers with 2 as first author from their thesis training. Students average 5.6 years to conferral
of the PhD. Institutional support covers recruitment, program retreats, bridge funds for thesis students and
faculty. T32 funds are requested to support pre-thesis training for eight students (4 slots each for the 1st and 2nd
years), while GU provides matching support of eight students in those years. Participating core faculty has
increased from 25 previously to 33 due to recent recruitments of faculty into the Departments of Psychology,
Neuroscience, Pharmacology & Physiology, and Biology expanding the faculty and facilities available. A new
initiative of the Medical Center called “25 x 2025” plans to bring six new faculty this year to expand on cross-
disciplinary research with a focus on neuroscience and prioritizing recruitment of faculty from underrepresented
minority groups (URM). Five new T32s, in addition to two others, are available to support pre-thesis students to
provide more extensive training in specialized areas that fit students’ interests. The IPN consists of 40-50 thesis
and pre-thesis students. Aggressive recruitment of applicants from URM groups have been successful (29% of
students in the IPN and 66% of those appointed to the JSPTPN); this continues to be a top priority. Training
includes broad-based didactic coursework with increased emphasis on quantitative aspects and scientific rigor.
Training in quantitative critical thinking includes expansion of required coursework, additional coursework tailored
to the student’s area of research, new electives focused on Matlab and python programming for scientists, and
more broadly ongoing assessment of data analytic methods in seminars and journal clubs. Trainees participate
in intensive laboratory research, seminars, professional meetings, journal clubs, and training in essential
professional skills (writing manuscripts and grants, mentorship, teaching, oral presentations, career choices, and
ethical considerations. Students are very active in governance of the IPN. Opportunities to explore career options
are developed throughout the graduate career, particularly with the establishment of a new graduate ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10847846
- **Project number:** 2T32NS041231-21A1
- **Recipient organization:** GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Ludise Malkova
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $296,510
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2001-07-15 → 2029-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10847846

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10847846, Predoctoral Training in Integrative Neuroscience (2T32NS041231-21A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10847846. Licensed CC0.

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