# Diversity Supplement: Clinical Pediatric Research Training for the Fetal-Neonatal Brain

> **NIH NIH T32** · CHILDREN'S RESEARCH INSTITUTE · 2024 · $87,321

## Abstract

SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The rationale for this application is to fill the current void in clinical research training for the
emerging discipline of fetal-neonatal neurology. The rapid development of the fetal and newborn
brain, and the unique genetic and environmental factors that threaten such development, make
the immature brain distinctly different from that of even older infants. Yet, despite the growing
recognition of the lifespan impact of events during this critical period, clinical and research
training in neurology of the fetus and newborn remains remarkably inadequate. The objective of
this program is to provide multidisciplinary training in clinical neuroscience research within the
context of the fetal/neonatal environment. Trainees will enter a two to three year program with
an MD, DO, PhD or MD/PhD. The primary site for the Clinical Research Training Program for
the Fetal Neonatal Brain is the Children's National Health System (CNHS) in Washington, D.C.
Training will be provided in the responsible conduct of research, the acquisition of high-
throughput `bedside' clinical data in the NICU, and the processing and analysis of data using
sophisticated neurodiagnostic techniques. Two NIH-funded Principal Investigators with
complementary clinical and research expertise will be supported by neuroscience preceptors
(neurology, neuroradiology, neurogenetics), and mentors/subject matter experts from neonatal
intensive care, neonatal cardiac surgery, and clinical research methodology. The mentorship
team is assembled from Children's National and the George Washington University (GWU).
Children's National is well positioned to lead this program, based on (i) its strengths in
translational and clinical research, and mentorship in the central areas of inquiry; (ii) its formal
funded research collaboration (CNICA Program) with Inova Women's and Children's Hospitals,
and (iii) the strength of its fetal and neonatal medicine programs. Each trainee will develop
special expertise in an advanced neurodiagnostic technique, complete a Master's of Science in
Health Sciences Clinical (MSHS) at GWU or equivalent, and will design and implement a
research project overseen by her/his mentorship team. By graduation, the trainee will have
presented his/her data to at least one national research meeting, submitted one or more
manuscripts to external peer-reviewed journals, and have a well-formulated plan for a grant
application. The program will prepare trainees with the skills and expertise to develop into future
leaders in the effort to reduce and prevent brain injury in the fetus and newborn infant.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11011929
- **Project number:** 3T32HD098066-05S1
- **Recipient organization:** CHILDREN'S RESEARCH INSTITUTE
- **Principal Investigator:** ADRE Jacques DU PLESSIS
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $87,321
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2020-05-01 → 2025-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11011929

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11011929, Diversity Supplement: Clinical Pediatric Research Training for the Fetal-Neonatal Brain (3T32HD098066-05S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-12 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11011929. Licensed CC0.

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