# Training Program In Cellular and Molecular Medicine

> **NIH NIH T32** · JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $723,084

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The mission of the training program in Cellular and Molecular Medicine (CMM) is to prepare Ph.D. scientists for
laboratory research at the cellular and molecular level on topics with a direct impact on the understanding,
diagnosis, treatment and prevention of human diseases. Through a series of tailored courses, small group
discussions, individualized clinical exposure and laboratory research, Ph.D. candidates of this program will
receive a rigorous training in scientific research and a thorough knowledge of human biology and human
diseases. Consistent with the emphasis on translational research, most CMM faculty work in clinical settings,
distributed over 22 clinical and basic science departments and 4 institutes within the Johns Hopkins School of
Medicine and School of Public Health. Trainers will receive mentor training and are rigorously evaluated
according to criteria of merit, mentorship ability and program fit. The current program size of 121 faculty and
115 students maintains ~ 1:1 faculty-student ratio by an active process of mentor recruitment, renewal and
turnover to ensure the best training environment for Ph.D. candidates. A holistic review admits 20-24 trainees
from a robust pool size of ~150 training grant eligible candidates, which recently increased by 40% with a
doubling of underrepresented minority applications following an evidence-based decision to remove the GRE
requirement. The training program will leverage institutional funds to defray tuition charges in all years, support
administration and all program activities and guarantee trainee support. The first year curriculum will begin with
the intensive Introduction to Human Body course that combines hands-on dissection of the human cadaver,
virtual histology labs, in-class and e-lectures, and group presentations by students. Following a basic science
curriculum covering principles in molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry and cell biology, accompanied by
three 10-week laboratory rotations, the year will end with Introduction to Clinical Research and Cellular and
Molecular Basis of Disease that covers a spectrum of clinically and/or socially relevant disorders of the human
body, completing the cycle of the year from "book to bench to bedside". Other program-specific activities will
include a Grant Writing workshop, a newly developed Rigor and Reproducibility in Research (3R) course and
an individualized Bench to Bedside and Back (3B) clinical experience under the direction of a clinical co-
mentor in years 3-4. The program sponsors an Annual Retreat, journal club and student-run research in
progress seminar series. Structured career training opportunities in teaching and non-academic tracks
(OPTIONS) are built into the curriculum requirements and graduates pursue diverse research careers including
academic faculty (20%), industry (31%), physician scientists (19%), government (6%), business, policy or as
postdoctoral fellows. Attrition rates are low...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9869165
- **Project number:** 1T32GM135457-01
- **Recipient organization:** JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** RAJINI RAO
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $723,084
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-07-01 → 2025-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9869165

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9869165, Training Program In Cellular and Molecular Medicine (1T32GM135457-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9869165. Licensed CC0.

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