# Predoctoral Training in Integrative Neuroscience

> **NIH NIH T32** · GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $194,766

## Abstract

The Interdisciplinary Program in Neurosciences (IPN) at Georgetown University is a broad-based, non-
departmental program that leads to a PhD in Neuroscience. The IPN was established in 1994 and supported
by the NIH from 2001 to 2015. The primary goal of this training program is to develop “Stewards of the
Discipline” by training students in the scholarly pursuit of research in integrative neuroscience. The 25 core
training faculty and 19 supporting faculty in this application are drawn from nine clinical and basic science
departments on the Main Campus and Medical Center, contiguous campuses in Washington, DC. The IPN
faculty span a breadth of inquiry; the core faculty are split evenly between cellular/molecular and cognitive
sciences, with several researchers collaborating across these disciplines. IPN students are very successful,
publishing an average of 4.7 papers from their thesis training, with 2.3 as first author. Students average 5.3
years to defense, with a median time of 5 years. Training Grant funds are requested to support prethesis
training (4 slots each for first and second years), while Georgetown University supports additional students in
prethesis training (4 slots each for first and second years). The support was greatly increased over the last two
years in the absence of training grant funding. Institutional support also covers recruitment, a seminar series, a
program retreat, and bridge funds for thesis students. Two NIH training grants provide additional thesis
research training. The IPN consists of 40-50 thesis and prethesis students. Aggressive recruitment of
applicants from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups have been successful (currently 32% of students),
and continues to be a top priority. IPN students benefit from the collaborative nature of our faculty: over 70% of
student publications have more than one IPN faculty member. The recent recruitments of neuroscience faculty
into the Departments of Pharmacology & Physiology, Psychology, Neurology, and Biology have expanded the
equipment, facilities and faculty expertise available to the training program. The training program includes
broad-based didactic coursework with increased emphasis on quantitative aspects of inquiry and the rigor of
scientific approaches. The trainees participate in a seminar series, national professional meetings, journal
clubs, intensive laboratory research, and training in several essential professional skills (writing and reviewing
manuscripts, grantsmanship, mentorship, teaching, conflict resolution, career choices, oral presentations) and
their ethical dimensions. Students are also very active in governance of the IPN. Opportunities to explore
career options are developed throughout the graduate career, particularly with the establishment of a new
graduate Office of Career Strategy and Professional Development. Upon graduation, 60-70% of IPN students
pursue post-doctoral research training; 11 of them (since 2005) have earned tenure tr...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9989917
- **Project number:** 5T32NS041231-18
- **Recipient organization:** GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Ludise Malkova
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $194,766
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2001-07-15 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9989917

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9989917, Predoctoral Training in Integrative Neuroscience (5T32NS041231-18). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9989917. Licensed CC0.

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