Digestive Health and Diseases (DHD) Training Grant

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
This proposal entitled “Training for Discovery and Scholarship in Digestive Health and Diseases” is for
continuation of a long-standing, highly successful research training program for pre- and postdoctoral
candidates and GI fellows in Digestive Health and Diseases (DHD) at the University of Chicago. This program
provides rigorous scientific training to highly qualified and promising individuals for careers in basic,
translational, and clinical investigation. It has successfully prepared generations of leaders in biomedical
research, academia, and other walks of life. The training faculty are comprised of funded, highly successful,
multidisciplinary, and collaborative investigators from the University of Chicago and its two affiliates, Argonne
National Lab and the Marine Biological Lab. A recently defined group of Associate Mentors that include early
stage investigators representing the next generation of mentors and leaders, important resource experts, or
full-time clinicians without research support, will assist full mentors. The program is strategically located in the
heart of the biomedical research complex that includes state-of-the-art research and clinical facilities. These
facilities offer technologies such as mouse genetic engineering, gnotobiotic, single cell genomics, mass
cytometry, advanced imaging, advanced `omic' technologies such as next generation DNA sequencing and
other quantitative data sciences for systems biology and integration. A robust clinical research pipeline capable
of generating highly curated clinical metadata and biospecimens for translational investigators in DHD is
available through the NIDDK P30 DDRCC. Currently, the program supports the training of two predoctoral and
five postdoctoral trainees drawn from a large pool of highly qualified candidates, particularly with the recent
influx of MD/PhD and research-intensive MDs from the Physician Scientist Development Program of the
Department of Medicine. However, with the increased demand for training in DHD, especially in the areas of
the gut microbiome, host-microbe interactions, data sciences, metabolism, immunology and IBD, we are
requesting the addition of a third pre-doctoral training position. Our DHDT32 curriculum is notable in using a
combination of didactic, formal coursework, problem-based, and hands-on training approaches that
continuously adapt to the everchanging landscape of knowledge, technology, and clinical practice to insure the
competitiveness, productivity, and success of all trainees. Their progress and career development will be
monitored closely by faculty advisory and program oversight committees. Trainees will be taught how to think
critically and creatively, and receive instruction in academic skills (e.g. grant and MS writing, etc) and the
responsible conduct of research. The program is also stepping up its efforts to promote diversity among its
selected candidates through the recent creation of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Collectively, these
efforts will continue to produce high quality investigators who are well prepared to become independent
investigators, future mentors, and leaders in academia, clinical research, and other biomedical fields.

Grant Number: 5T32DK007074-51
NIH Institute/Center: NIH
Principal Investigator: EUGENE CHANG