# Caltech/UCLA Individualized Theranostic Engineering to Advance Metabolic System (iTEAM)

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES · 2020 · $285,630

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
The California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) have
partnered to integrate advanced imaging and sensing coupled with computing needed to translate
technological innovation to address the global cardiometabolic disease. The UCLA/Caltech integrated
Theranostic Engineering to Advance Metabolic Medicine (iTEAM) Program represents a new paradigm that
will be formalized into a 2-year, structured curriculum with an emphasis on recruiting the under-represented
post-doctoral engineers or physical scientists into leadership roles in academia and industry. The
convergence of the fundamental strengths of Caltech and clinical strengths of UCLA is conducive to
individualize training in 1) advanced sensing or 2) imaging coupled with computing to address 3)
cardiometabolic disease. The iTEAM program is partnering with industry leaders (Amgen, Johnson &
Johnson, Medtronic, and Edwards Lifesciences) for internship, mentorship, and leadership programs. Both the
Caltech Diversity Center and UCLA Faculty Diversity & Development Office have supported workshops on
Science Technology Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) for women and underrepresented minorities. To
implement this UCLA/Caltech iTEAM program, we have developed a mentoring and self-evaluating structure in
the inclusion of 21 primary and co-mentors, 13 consulting mentors, and 10 industry leaders (42% female).
Each iTEAM scholar will have co-mentorships: a primary mentor from enabling technologies and a secondary
from cardiometabolic medicine and/or industry. In Year 1, iTEAM scholars will: 1) Participate in an initial two-
day workshop including mentors, program leaders, clinicians, physician-scientists, and industry leaders to
explore projects, expectations, mentorship, and goals; 2) Meet one-to-one with the Program Director(s) to
finalize a primary (imaging or sensing) and a co-mentor (cardiometabolic disease or industry); 3) Develop an
Individualized Development Plans (IDP) with the Advising & Training Committee to finalize the project; and 4)
Strengthen fundamental knowledge in advanced imaging, sensors, or computation and didactic training for
ethics in biomedical research and publications. In Year 2, iTEAM scholars will be afforded 1) the opportunity to
present work-in-progress and provide feedback in quarterly meetings with a primary mentor and with a co-
mentor, 2) an option to participate in a certificate in Pathways in Clinical and Translational Research from the
UCLA Clinical Translational Science Institute (CTSI) or Law and Technology for FDA regulatory science
(BE188/299); and/or 3) to participate in UCLA CTSI-sponsored professional development in preparation for an
academic or industry career. Both Caltech and UCLA Deans have committed matching funds for each iTEAM
scholar. UCLA Vice Provost for Graduate Education and has also committed supplemental trainee support to
enhance the diversity of trainees. Overall, this program infuses ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9937563
- **Project number:** 1T32EB027629-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES
- **Principal Investigator:** Dino Di Carlo
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $285,630
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-07-08 → 2025-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9937563

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9937563, Caltech/UCLA Individualized Theranostic Engineering to Advance Metabolic System (iTEAM) (1T32EB027629-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9937563. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*