# Vascular Surgery Scientist Training Program

> **NIH NIH T32** · NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $342,432

## Abstract

This application is a submission for the second renewal of the Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research
Service Award (NRSA) Institutional Research Training Grant (T32) entitled “Vascular Surgery Scientist
Training Program” (VSSTP). The objective of the VSSTP at Northwestern University Feinberg School of
Medicine is to increase the number of vascular surgeon-scientists dedicated to careers in improving the quality
of life of patients with vascular disease. The VSSTP was established in 2009 with the goal of training these
potential vascular surgeon-scientists interested in pursuing a career dedicated to studying vascular disease—
arterial, venous, and lymphatic disorders—by providing a training experience with mentors from a wide range
of specialties.
 Cardiovascular research has historically been heavily focused on heart disease; thus, peripheral
vascular disease (PVD) afflicting the arterial, venous, and lymphatic circulations is consistently under-
diagnosed, under-treated, and under-studied. The genesis and evolution of the VSSTP has been to change
this pattern and provide a focused mentorship experience dedicated to enhancing the study of PVD.
 The goal of the VSSTP is to recruit two MD/DO trainees per year for two years of training for a total of
10 trainees for this second renewal. Candidates will have at least two years of surgical residency training. The
program is arranged around three important constructs: 1) vascular biology research, basic science
investigations of the biology of the peripheral vascular system; 2) biomedical engineering investigations,
research into developing new devices and mechanisms to treat vascular disease; and 3) clinical
outcomes/health services research with respect to vascular surgery and delivery of care. Trainees may
select a focused mentored research experience within one of these domains upon which an independent
learning plan and contract are established mutually between the trainee and the primary mentor. The clinical
outcomes/health services research track provides the opportunity to pursue a Master of Science in Health
Services and Outcomes Research degree. An innovative guidance plan to provide mentoring and coaching to
the trainees throughout their training and early career is intended to help the trainee find an academic position
that supports research to encourage their success and productivity as a young surgeon-scientist.
 There are 21 dedicated mentors from 10 departments, providing a wide range of possible training
experiences to the trainees. Mentors are selected based on their expertise in their chosen fields of research as
well as their track record of mentoring. Built into the program is the mechanism to help younger mentors to
improve their mentoring skills.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9914880
- **Project number:** 5T32HL094293-12
- **Recipient organization:** NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** MARK K ESKANDARI
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $342,432
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2009-05-01 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9914880

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9914880, Vascular Surgery Scientist Training Program (5T32HL094293-12). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9914880. Licensed CC0.

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