CTSA Predoctoral T32 at the University of Pennsylvania

About This Grant

CTSA Predoctoral T32 at Penn: Project Summary/Abstract The University of Pennsylvania's Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) Predoctoral T32 Program aims to recruit and train promising predoctoral candidates to become the next generation of clinical and translational science (CTS) investigators who possess the critical knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully and efficiently translate discoveries into clinical care for the benefit of patients, and prepare them for research careers in academia, industry, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies. Traditional graduate training does not provide sufficient opportunities to expose students to CTS concepts or to the broad spectrum of CTS methodological domains. Recognizing this gap and the pivotal stage at which predoctoral trainees are, we will leverage the experience accumulated during our 19-year history of success and Penn's unique ecosystem—including its role as the birthplace of mRNA therapeutics and cell/gene therapies—to provide rigorous scientific training while developing trainees' understanding of the challenges impeding translation of discoveries into clinical practice. The program will support 10 predoctoral trainees at any given time, drawing from PhD, MD, DMD, and VMD students, with appointments of 1-3 years depending on career stage and program. Our training plan addresses three objectives: (i) train the future generation of CTS investigators through immersive mentored research experiences, proven mentoring constructs, core CTS knowledge acquisition, and just-in-time modular education in emerging areas; (ii) prepare trainees to launch the next stage of their careers through personalized career mapping, professional development activities, career exploration opportunities, and individualized transition support; and (iii) cultivate an environment that sustains engagement in CTS through a supportive training environment, intentional team mentoring, peer/near-peer support systems, and scientific network development. The curriculum combines academic programs (Master of Science in Translational Research or ITMAT Certificate Programs) with experiential training and professional development, with specialized paths for clinical and research trainees. Because trainees will enter the CTS environment with different educational backgrounds, varying degrees of prior research experience and varied career aspirations, we created a flexible program that allow personalization of the training experience. Upon completion of the program, trainees will have developed strong CTR and CTS skills, will be adept at working in multi-disciplinary teams and will advance to further their training such that they will ultimately be capable of translating discoveries into interventions. The program will be measured using the Translational Science Benefits Model which includes scientific outputs, such as research productivity including grant submissions, publications, and academic positions, which will be assessed using a logic model, alongside dissemination and impact outcomes (that are represented for both the trainees and the program) that contribute to clinical, community, economic, and policy benefits.