# Research Training Program in Psychiatric Epidemiology

> **NIH NIH T32** · COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES · 2020 · $403,961

## Abstract

During its 44-year history of continuous funding, the Columbia University Psychiatric Epidemiology
Training Program (PET) has trained generations of highly productive psychiatric epidemiologists. Across
this history, psychiatric epidemiology has undergone several periods of marked change, including the
present time. PET faculty and former trainees have played significant roles in bringing past and present
changes about. We developed a strategy of “balanced growth” for incorporating such changes, and adhere
to it in the current renewal. Balanced growth entails, first, a broad effort to sustain the high quality and
vitality of the work being done in PET, and second, growth or improvement in carefully chosen areas,
especially those where pivotal changes are taking place. Smooth transitions in the leadership of PET have
made it easier to maintain this balance of continuity and growth. The program was initially led by Bruce
Dohrenwend (who remains co-Director); then by Bruce Link (previously co-Director); and now by Ezra
Susser (previously co-Director to Bruce Link). Ezra Susser was active in developing our conceptual
framework and is well-suited to an era in which we will be integrating multiple components, biological as
well as social. Sharon Schwartz also helped formulate the conceptual framework, and will remain as
Training Director, but will also be co-Director in this renewal. New co-Director Katherine Keyes brings the
next generation into the leadership along with her outstanding achievements in research and training.
 Over the years we have developed an approach to training that prepares fellows to identify important
research problems and to tackle these problems using theory, strategic study designs, and appropriate
measurement and analytic approaches in a multi-disciplinary context. Through course work, research
experience and a Faculty-Fellows seminar we aim to provide an atmosphere where creativity flourishes and
skills are developed to integrate theory and methods. While our general approach to training is retained in
this renewal, the content of training has been updated, in accord with the changing scenario described in
the proposal. For example, we have recruited new faculty who have experience integrating neuroscience
with epidemiologic research, and we have reshaped our courses to better prepare trainees for this kind of
integrative research.
 The underlying strength of our program lies in the commitment of faculty to our students, including data
access and mentoring activities such as scientific feedback on presentation and writing skills, and career
development. The track record of the Columbia PET program indicates that we have the capacity, history,
and faculty to train leaders of the next generation of epidemiologists. To sustain this track record, we
continue to improve our program and refine our training to accommodate the latest changes to the field.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9936347
- **Project number:** 5T32MH013043-49
- **Recipient organization:** COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES
- **Principal Investigator:** Katherine M. Keyes
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $403,961
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1972-07-01 → 2022-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9936347

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9936347, Research Training Program in Psychiatric Epidemiology (5T32MH013043-49). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9936347. Licensed CC0.

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