# Predoctoral Training Program in Signaling and Cellular Regulation INCLUDE Down Syndrome Supplement

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO · 2023 · $181,414

## Abstract

SUMMARY
 The goal of the NIGMS T32 Predoctoral Training Program in Signaling and Cell Regulation is to
prepare predoctoral trainees for productive research careers in the field of signaling and cellular regulation.
The training faculty mentors consist of an outstanding, internationally recognized group of researchers in the
Department of Biochemistry (BCHM) and the Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology
(MCDB) at the University of Colorado, Boulder, who study basic cell regulatory mechanisms through discovery
and characterization of key components in biological pathways. The program mentors students to gain critical
thinking skills and depth in understanding how to assimilate different scientific areas to solve problems in
modern molecular biosciences, and teaches them how to use apply these skills when they enter the
biomedical research workforce. Program elements include program-specific elective courses, an annual
Symposium, Supergroup research conferences, seminars, and journal clubs, together with trainee monitoring
through thesis committees and organizational meetings. These approaches expose students to broad,
interdisciplinary scientific areas through cross-disciplinary mentorship and collaboration; provide them with
rigorous training in experimental design, classical and modern technologies, and data analysis, with high
standards for reproducibility; foster a proactive community effort to promote the recruitment and retention of
underrepresented trainees; and support students’ progress and ability to work in teams in an inclusive
environment through all aspects of their training. Coursework on responsible conduct of research instills
students with an awareness of norms and expectations for conducting research with high ethical standards.
Professional development and career training workshops expose students to diverse career trajectories and
opportunities, with experiential coaching for planning and landing employment. By integrating SCR Program-
specific coursework and activities with departmental graduate program requirements, and through mindful
and responsive mentoring, the Program creates a thriving collaborative and interdisciplinary graduate training
environment.
 The current proposal requests an INCLUDE Down syndrome supplement to the existing parent T32
program. As articulated in the proposal, 10 of the 36 SCR Training Program faculty and their students are
already actively engaged in Down syndrome-related research and training of graduate students and postdocs
in this field. Thus, the SCR Training Program is well positioned, both scientifically and administratively, to
oversee the mentorship of graduate students interested in Down syndrome-related research. Therefore, this
proposal is perfectly aligned with the NIH INCLUDE Project Research Plan Component 1: Targeted high risk
- high reward basic science studies in areas highly relevant to Down syndrome.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10851494
- **Project number:** 3T32GM142607-03S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO
- **Principal Investigator:** NATALIE G. AHN
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $181,414
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2021-07-01 → 2026-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10851494

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10851494, Predoctoral Training Program in Signaling and Cellular Regulation INCLUDE Down Syndrome Supplement (3T32GM142607-03S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10851494. Licensed CC0.

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