Training the Next Generation of Clinical Researchers in Stress Mechanisms and Mental Health

About This Grant

Training the Next Generation of Clinical Researchers in Stress Mechanisms and Mental Health ABSTRACT This T32 postdoctoral training program prepares scientists to conduct high impact interdisciplinary research at the intersection of Psychology, Psychobiology, and Mental Health. It is in its 30th year, with 2 fellows per year, and 60 graduates, and has evolved over time to reflect new discoveries and approaches. In line with the NIMH strategic plan, we train fellows to conduct translational research on the interactions among biology, behavioral, and psychosocial factors that promote and exacerbate mental and physical illness and comorbidity. Fellows learn to apply psychological theories and cutting-edge research and quantitative methodologies to address issues in two interrelated tracks: (1) Biobehavioral mechanisms of stress, sleep, and health behaviors for mental health; and 2) Innovative interventions for preventing and treating mental disorders. Fellows focus on one or both tracks, and receive in depth training and research experience in understanding stress- related mechanisms (social exposome and early adversity, psychological and physiological stress, sleep and health behaviors, and biomarkers) across a broad range of communities, with opportunities to conduct research across the lifecourse—from pregnancy and infancy to older age. During their training, fellows share a didactic core, including Works in Progress and Professional Development seminars, Responsible Conduct of Research, and Biostatistics with a new opportunity to learn data science methods. They conduct independent research with at least two mentors, submit papers, present at conferences, and complete a grant application through a highly mentored process. The program benefits from being embedded in a leading health science campus with seed funds for pilot studies. Other strengths include internationally recognized experts as mentors and the addition of exceptional junior faculty, all of whom will receive further mentor training. We are grateful for the excellent feedback from reviewers, which has strengthened multiple aspects of our program. We have sharpened our focus on stress and the biobehavioral mechanisms that lead to affective and behavioral disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety/PTSD, insomnia, ADHD), and on a range of innovative intervention modalities (psychosocial, family interventions, biobehavioral/hormetic stress, pharmacological/psychedelic therapy, neuromodulation, and digital therapeutics). We have created a more structured training plan and increased training in clinical trials, issues of ethics, rigor, replication, and transparency. Finally, we have improved our recruitment plan so that our fellows now well represent a broad array of demographic groups. The program has produced outstanding leaders in the field, and over the last 5 years, our T32 scholars have published high impact papers (5-6 papers), and 100% have gone on to careers in medical or academic centers, with 90% in Assistant Professor positions, and 100% of our fellows have received a grant, mostly federal. Given the track record and many improvements suggested by reviewers, our program is ideally placed to train the next generation of high-impact mental health researchers.