# Interdisciplinary Predoctoral Training in Molecular Biophysics

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO · 2020 · $401,036

## Abstract

SUMMARY
 This renewal proposal seeks continuing support for the T32 Molecular Biophysics Predoctoral
Training Program at the University of Colorado, Boulder (CU), currently in its 14th year of NIH and CU
support. The goal of the Biophysics Training Program is to prepare exceptional, highly motivated
biophysics students for productive research careers. The 39 training faculty are an outstanding,
internationally recognized group of investigators from 5 Ph.D.-granting units: Biochemistry, Chemical &
Biological Engineering, Chemistry, Molecular, Cellular & Developmental Biology, and Physics. These
faculty, together with their students, are using state-of-the-art biophysical methods to elucidate
fundamental aspects of macromolecular structure, dynamics, mechanism, and function in biological
systems ranging from single molecules to complex, multi-component assemblies to living cells. Many of
these projects focus on questions of direct relevance to human health and disease.
 Biophysics is the most rapidly growing research field on the Boulder campus. Of the 39 current
training faculty, 21 were hired since the program began, including 4 in the past year. The Biophysics
Training Program has been a key driving force behind this growth. The training program, jointly
supported by NIH and University funds, has established a thriving biophysical community with extensive
collaborations among biophysicists in different laboratories and departments. Moreover, the program
provides rigorous, innovative training for predoctoral students of biophysics, ensuring that such students
receive the broad, interdisciplinary foundation needed to carry out cutting edge biophysical research.
Required coursework includes biophysical courses developed specifically for the program and a
Responsible Conduct of Research course. Training during the first year includes coursework, laboratory
rotations, and teaching duties. Training during the second year includes additional coursework and
defense of the planned thesis project in an oral PhD candidacy exam. Following the second year,
students meet yearly with a faculty committee that provides independent feedback on their thesis
research. In all training years, regular Biophysics Seminars, Supergroup meetings and career
development activities yield additional training experiences and stimulate strong communication and
collaboration between biophysical students, faculty, and laboratories.
 During the current funding period, the training program has exhibited strong progress in multiple
dimensions as evidenced by 1) recruitment of growing numbers of high quality faculty and students, 2)
increased participation by matriculates, 3) increased participation and graduation of underrepresented
groups, 4) innovations in training, 5) strong publication, graduation, and postdoctoral and career
placement rates of trainees, and 6) multiple collaborations between training laboratories.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9949715
- **Project number:** 5T32GM065103-19
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO
- **Principal Investigator:** JOSEPH J FALKE
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $401,036
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2002-07-01 → 2022-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9949715

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9949715, Interdisciplinary Predoctoral Training in Molecular Biophysics (5T32GM065103-19). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9949715. Licensed CC0.

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