Penn State - Natural Products Pharmacology Training Program (PS-NPPTP)

About This Grant

Abstract There is an established (and growing) interest on the part of the lay-public in the use natural products, nutraceuticals, and herbal supplements as medicines. Given the complex relationship (even tension) between the established healthcare system and the desire of the public for alternative and “natural” therapeutics, it is vitally important that we better understand the benefits and risks of natural product pharmaceutics. This will require an expanded workforce of natural products investigators to contribute to the health and welfare of public. To that end, the central goal of the Penn State – Natural Products Pharmacology Training Program (PS-NPPTP) is to contribute to the next generation of natural products medicines researchers and educators. We seek funding in this initial application for 4 trainees each year (supported for two years each in the second and third years). We have assembled a very talented, productive, and well-funded collection of 21 investigators (from across eleven departments and two colleges at Penn State University) to serve as preceptors and mentors for this training program. There are two key characteristics of the training faculty: (1) They represent the complete spectrum of biomedical science approaches from computational biology (artificial intelligence and machine learning), to metabolomics, to receptor binding and spatial transcriptomics, to cell culture, to whole animal physiology and behavior, and all the way to human health outcomes research. (2) For the last several years, we have been working diligently to create a collaborative ecosystem to demonstrate that we are a cohesive research and training unit. In fact, in the last 4 years, we have co-authored 27 natural products papers that cross the various departments. An institutional match will fund 1 additional trainee each year and will provide funds to raise all stipends to the Penn State standard. This will permit a strong initial cohort of 5 predoctoral students per year. Students will be prepared for laboratory training in natural products pharmacology through a carefully crafted curriculum. Non-didactic activities include weekly meetings to build presentation and data analysis skills, monthly trainee-run meetings, and a yearly retreat. Continuous RCR and rigor and reproducibility instruction are provided by the graduate school and individual faculty members throughout the training program. Trainee leadership skills will be built through a peer-mentoring program and student-organized monthly meetings. This will produce increased retention through improved trainee satisfaction and feeling of community. In addition, there will be an ongoing Scientific Survival Skills program for professional development. An evidence-based assessment plan will track program effectiveness and guide future improvements. Mentor training and close attention to student progress and tracking will improve the overall experience for students and help recruit future cohorts.