# Translational Research Training in Sleep Medicine

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · 2020 · $361,302

## Abstract

This application is the second renewal of T32 HL082610, “Translational Research Training in Sleep Medicine,”
currently in Month 42 of our second 5-year grant period. The broad aim of this program is to train the future
generation of clinical and basic researchers in a translational approach to sleep medicine. For the next 5-year
period, we propose to sharpen our focus on the emerging concept of sleep health—specifically, on the
mechanisms whereby sleep influences health, and the evaluation of sleep interventions to improve health. Our
philosophy is that effective research training in sleep medicine incorporates translational content,
multidisciplinary faculty, and competency-based outcomes. Guided by this philosophy, our training program
includes: A primary focus on mentored research with experienced, well-funded sleep medicine investigators;
Team mentoring, with co-mentors representing complementary content and methodologic areas, and careful
evaluation of mentor and mentee progress; Didactic work including mini-courses in sleep research methods,
critical appraisal of current literature, professional development, and responsible conduct of research;
Measurable outcomes, including trainee publications, presentations, and grant applications; Individual and
group instruction in the preparation of career development award applications; Individually-prescribed
formal coursework; and access to the broad training and research support resources of the University of
Pittsburgh, including those of the Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI). The training program
includes two components: 1) A 2-3 year postdoctoral training fellowship for nationally-recruited physician
scientists and PhD graduates of psychology, epidemiology, and neuroscience programs. We propose to
maintain the current program size of 4 postdocs. 2) Research experiences for medical students, which
comprise two pathways: a 10-week Summer Research Program and a Longitudinal Scholarly Project running
through four years of medical school. We propose to enroll 4 medical students each year in these programs.
During our initial 8½ years, our trainees have enjoyed considerable success: Our 14 postdocs have published
an average of 6.1 peer-reviewed papers during training; 12/14 have submitted F or K Award applications; and
7/9 who have completed the review process (78%) have received K awards. The influence and success of our
training program has extended to sleep-focused postdocs in other Pitt programs who are mentored by Sleep
Medicine training faculty: All 4 who applied (100%) received career development awards. Our 16 medical
students have submitted 12 abstracts and published 8 peer-reviewed papers. We have systematically evaluated
our program with our trainees, University Advisory Board, and External Advisory Board. Based on these
evaluations, we propose to further strengthen the program with more structured orientation, earlier evaluation
of mentor-mentee “fit,” streamlined meetin...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9969460
- **Project number:** 5T32HL082610-14
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
- **Principal Investigator:** Daniel J. Buysse
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $361,302
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2007-07-01 → 2022-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9969460

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9969460, Translational Research Training in Sleep Medicine (5T32HL082610-14). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9969460. Licensed CC0.

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