# Yale Clinical and Epidemiology Research in Neurology (CERN) Training Program

> **NIH NIH T32** · YALE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $316,950

## Abstract

This is a proposal to support the Yale Clinical and Epidemiology Research in Neurology (CERN)
Training Program. The thematic concept and single focus of the proposed program is to train clinical
neurologists in clinical and epidemiological research methods. Yale has an exceptionally strong existing
research base in clinical neuroscience investigation. The Department of Neurology is ranked the 9th
highest clinical neurology department in NIH funding. The critical mass of mentors with specific expertise
in epidemiology and clinical research relevant to the neurosciences has led to a natural expansion of the
training opportunities at Yale, fostering the development of the proposed program. The engagement of
these mentors will provide an outstanding foundation for this novel research training. Our proposed
program encompasses four key neurologic disease areas: cerebrovascular disease, neurodegeneration
and aging, neuroinflammation, and epilepsy. The program is supported by 20 carefully-selected faculty
across the Schools of Medicine and Public Health (YSPH). Our objective is to provide a closely mentored
rigorous research training program for postdoctoral physician scientists to gain education and experience
with the tools necessary for investigative academic careers focused on human subjects research. Two
new CERN Training Program fellows per year will be selected for a two-year training program from
clinically trained candidates with MD degrees and prior neurological specialty training (i.e., neurology
residency). Central to the training experience will be pursuit of a project involving clinical or
epidemiological research in neurology. In addition to pursuing mentored research projects, trainees will
complete core coursework in these areas offered through the YSPH, and will participate in a series of
regularly scheduled didactic series, seminars and workshops, and a course on the responsible conduct of
research, which are available through the Yale Center for Neuroepidemiology and Clinical Neurological
Research (CNE2) and the Yale Center for Clinical Investigation (YCCI). Through a carefully selected
didactic and educational program, and close monitoring of trainee progress with a formalized mentoring
process, trainees will gain the skills to design and execute rigorous investigative projects, analyze their
data, and publish their results. Trainees will be guided both by mentors and YCCI- and YSPH-supported
grant-writing workshops, with the goal of having successfully applied for independent career development
awards by the conclusion of the fellowship. With abundant resources in the form of study participants,
existing cohorts and datasets, outstanding collaborators, and educational opportunities, Yale provides an
exemplary environment for clinical and epidemiologic neurologic research. This will be leveraged through
this program to train a cadre of leading patient-oriented investigators, with a shared goal of prevention of
or reduction of morbid...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9919004
- **Project number:** 5T32NS105583-02
- **Recipient organization:** YALE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** JUDITH H LICHTMAN
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $316,950
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-07-01 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9919004

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9919004, Yale Clinical and Epidemiology Research in Neurology (CERN) Training Program (5T32NS105583-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9919004. Licensed CC0.

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