# Chemistry-Biology Interface Predoctoral Training Grant

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST · 2024 · $549,359

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Twenty-five years ago, the University of Massachusetts launched a training program at the interface of
chemistry and biology. The program built on existing strengths and harnessed our commitment to building
bridges between the physical and life sciences. Since then, the University of Massachusetts has undergone a
complete transformation in the life sciences. Massive investments in state-of-the-art core facilities and research
buildings coupled with the hiring of over 50 new faculty has revolutionized the research capacity on campus.
By establishing a collaborative community and interdisciplinary curriculum, the Chemistry-Biology Interface
(CBI) training program has been at the center of this growth. The 31 CBI Training Faculty now train a total of
162 talented students, 54 of whom are eligible for support from the CBI training grant. CBI students come from
five participating graduate programs: Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Microbiology, Molecular & Cellular
Biology, and Polymer Science & Engineering. The CBI curriculum is designed to complement the requirements
of these programs, to achieve four objectives: 1) to provide fluency in both chemistry and biology concepts,
tools, and opportunities; 2) to communicate and collaborate effectively with scientists from diverse chemistry
and biology research backgrounds; 3) to follow best practices in performing rigorous and reproducible
research; and 4) to increase awareness of career opportunities and build the appropriate skills to network
effectively in order to take advantage of these opportunities. Robust participation of ~ 60 CBI student members
who complete the curriculum, regardless of funding, demonstrates the perceived high value of this training. In
this proposal, we seek to enhance the training capacity of the CBI program by requesting twelve trainee slots,
which will be matched with four slots annually from UMass. Over the next five years, the cohort of CBI trainees
will participate in several innovative training activities, including a revised curriculum incorporating the
principles of rigor and reproducibility, specialized laboratory modules designed to introduce trainees to new
concepts and techniques, and a biennial Alumni Symposium where current trainees will have the opportunity to
connect with our network of 143 alumni. Equipped with this comprehensive skillset, graduates from our CBI
program will be well-prepared to solve frontier problems in biology and biomedicine.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10873024
- **Project number:** 5T32GM139789-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST
- **Principal Investigator:** ERIC Robert STRIETER
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $549,359
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-07-01 → 2026-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10873024

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10873024, Chemistry-Biology Interface Predoctoral Training Grant (5T32GM139789-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10873024. Licensed CC0.

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