The Hematology and Transfusion MedicineT32 Training Program at Duke, first established by Dr. Wendell Rosse in 1976, remains a vibrant program for developing scientific leaders in hematology and transfusion medicine. Historically, our program has been particularly effective in recruiting MD researchers to pursue disease-based research, with a record of retaining ~70% of our trainees in research-related careers. Our program’s success, in large part, is due to careful selection of trainees, rigorous scientific training, strong mentoring and a training environment replete with physical and intellectual resources. In this competing renewal, we request continued support for a two-year training program for post-doctoral fellows (MD, MD-PhD and PhDs) and two new short- term training positions for medical students to pursue hematology and transfusion research. Trainees for this program are accepted on the basis of research proposals focused on one of four fields of study, including Transfusion Medicine and Hemoglobinopathies (Track I); Hemostasis & Thrombosis (Track II), Hematopoiesis & Cellular Therapy (Track III), and Molecular Biology, Signaling & Genetics (Track IV). Upon program entry, post-doctoral trainees pursue a research-intensive program in basic/translational or clinical investigation supplemented by educational and training program activities. Educational activities for postdoctoral trainees will include required coursework in statistics as related to their clinical or basic research interests, attendance at research conferences relevant to their training tracks and enrolling in graduate level courses to consolidate their scientific knowledge. Additional program activities are designed to bolster career development of individual postdoctoral trainees through “T32 Strategy” seminars covering a range of topics from tailored Individual Development Plans, effective mentoring practices and discussion of various career pathways given by T32 alumni in basic, clinical or industry research careers. Monthly research in progress meetings are designed to provide peer to peer interactions, group mentoring from Scholarship Oversight Committees and scientific feedback from Executive Committee members. Program oversight is provided by an Executive Committee that meets on a monthly basis and an External Advisory Board that will meet annually with program administration and trainees. To expand the hematology pipeline and introduce hematology research to students while early in medical training, we are requesting two short-term training slots for medical students. Medical students will participate in an 8-12-week immersive research experience in the labs of experienced mentors and have an opportunity to attend a national hematology meeting. For all trainees, the program continues to place emphasis on recruiting and retaining trainees from underrepresented minority groups. Fulfillment of the training goals of this program will serve the dual mission of training...