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Vascular Biology, Signaling and Therapeutics Training Program

The VBST training program supports graduate students and postdoctoral fellows who are or will be engaged in multidisciplinary research in Vascular Biology, Signaling, & Therapeutics.

NLHBI funded T32 is an interdisciplinary, vascular biology training program that draws on institutional expertise in four themes: Angiogenesis & Regeneration, Vascular Signaling, Neurovascular Biology and Vascular Therapeutics. Vascular Biology, Signaling and Therapeutics Training Program (VBST) is made up of thirty-one (31) mentors, of which nine (9) are physician-scientists. This training program will utilize expertise within and interactions between the themes to train predoctoral and postdoctoral applicants in an integrative fashion.

Overview Heading link

Training Program

Objective of the VBST T32 Program

The objective is to provide collaborative mentoring, stipend, and travel funds to those considering a research career as an independent NIH funded PI at a research institute. The VBST T32 also trains those considering opportunities within the pharma industry (pharmaceuticals/biotech), publishing, and advocacy.

Overarching goals of the VBST T32 program

  • Attract outstanding trainees representing diverse disciplines, from molecular to physiological, computational, bioengineering, bioinformatics, or drug discovery
  • Provide rigorous, comprehensive knowledge in cutting-edge cardiovascular science
  • Promote understanding of clinical activities, treatments, and drug development for vascular diseases
  • Teach multidisciplinary scientific approaches that promote integrative, divergent thinking
  • Build an intellectually diverse interdisciplinary community of scientists and mentors seeking new approaches and collaborations dedicated to cures for vascular disease
  • Build skillsets in presentation, meeting organization, and outreach
  • Support pipeline of future T32 leaders by mentoring Junior faculty on VBST

Funding

The VBST-TP is funded by training grant (T32 HL144459) from the National, Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).

Expectations for trainees Heading link

  1. Develop time and project management skills to support both the advisor’s lab and their own independent pursuits
  2. Required coursework: Pharmacology and Biology of the Vessel Wall (PCOL 530, 2 hrs)
  3. Acquire new preliminary data necessary to further develop their hypothesis
  4. Prepare an external funding grant application for submission during, or soon after completion of T32 support
  5. Publish data linked to the T32 within the first few years of entering the program
  6. Continue drawing upon Mentors in the VBST program
  7. Trainees are to attend the T32 Career Development Workshop. The trainees will work on their IDP and discussed it in a 5-session career planning workshop (career planning introduction and self-assessment, career exploration, informational interviews, choosing plan A&B, setting goals to move your career in the right direction).

Optional activities requiring approval by primary mentor

  1. Coursework: Therapeutic Development and Clinical Trials (PHYB 562563, 3 hrs)
  2. Teaching opportunities: provide 1-3 hr lectures on physiological and vascular system at the graduate level
  3. Participate in T32 Trainee Symposiums as an organizer and/or presenter
  4. Consider applying for second year T32 support
  5. Prepare and maintain LinkedIn professional page

Financial support

What our trainees receive to support achieving the program requirements:

  • 1 yr salary stipend
  • $1400 travel stipend to present T32 study as an oral or poster presentation at a national conference

Post-doctoral training opportunities

Post-Doctoral trainees from the laboratories of VBST mentors are welcome to apply for a training grant position.

Applying Heading link

Predoctoral and Postdoctoral students who seek vascular biology training and whose mentor is a member of one of the four VBST themes are encouraged to apply.

Contact us for more information Heading link