# Transfusion Medicine Research Training Program

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · 2020 · $175,710

## Abstract

The purpose of this training program is to prepare MD, MD/PhD, or PhD postdoctoral fellows for research
careers in the multidisciplinary field of Transfusion Medicine. Since 1985, 62 individuals have participated in
this Training Program at the University of Pennsylvania. With few exceptions, all trainees have pursued
careers in academic medicine and have continued on in either clinical or basic research having obtained many
federal and non-federal grants along the way. Of the 57 who have completed training so far, 48 trainees have
become directors or associate directors of academic blood banks, blood centers, and associated clinical
laboratories (coagulation, hematology, molecular diagnostics) across the United States and are highly-
regarded members of the transfusion medicine community. Because of the many interested, qualified
applicants and our successful training record, the program was awarded this T32 training grant beginning in
1994. This has allowed us to provide support for 29 of the 62 individuals. The uniqueness of this program lies
in the availability of a broad-based research environment coupled with a well-established clinical Transfusion
Medicine fellowship. This represents one of few such Transfusion Medicine postdoctoral training programs in
this country. Research trainees conduct independent research for at least 2 years in the laboratory of an
experienced mentor. Mentors are selected among faculty with interests that span broad areas of transfusion
medicine research including red cell and platelet membrane biochemistry and structure, blood component and
derivative utilization, hematopoiesis and stem cell biology, blood coagulation, immunology and autoimmunity,
transfusion-transmitted diseases, and cellular engineering/gene therapy. Opportunities to coordinate trainee
research experience with the University of Pennsylvania’s Masters in Translational Research Program are
available along with a significant emphasis in biotechnology, personalized and regenerative medicine, and
bench-to-bedside translation, areas in which our institution continues to invest considerable resources. The
mentors selected for this program include many senior scientists with extensive experience training
postdoctoral fellows and with current, active, inter-laboratory collaborations. In addition to investigative work,
the Training Program comprises an integrated mix of educational components including didactics, journal
clubs, seminars, and venues for presentation of trainees’ research. The program plan includes specific steps
for the training of MD’s with little research experience or PhD’s in disease-related topics, and for the
recruitment and retention of trainees from underrepresented minority groups or who are disadvantaged or
disabled. Educational programs for trainees in the responsible conduct of research, bioethics, grant writing,
public speaking, laboratory safety and management, career development, and business etiquette are also
included. Th...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9908136
- **Project number:** 5T32HL007775-27
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
- **Principal Investigator:** DONALD Lawrence SIEGEL
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $175,710
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1993-07-01 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9908136

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9908136, Transfusion Medicine Research Training Program (5T32HL007775-27). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9908136. Licensed CC0.

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