NW University Program in Endo Diabetes and Hormone Action

Rapid advances in scientific knowledge have resulted in unparalleled opportunities for new discoveries that could
substantially improve human health and cure disease. A cadre of interdisciplinary scientists who can work at the
interface between pathophysiology and clinical medicine is essential to accomplish this goal. It is the overarching
objective of the Northwestern University Program in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hormone Action (NUPEDHA)
to enable such research in endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism. This objective will be accomplished by
training basic and clinical scientists in an environment that integrates rigorous fundamental science into a
disease-oriented context. An essential component of this training program is the superb, highly collaborative
training faculty of 24 outstanding mentors whose research focuses on translational science related to
endocrinology, diabetes, obesity and metabolism. There are 5 tightly linked co-mentors who will provide
expertise in state-of-the-art “Omics” and “Big Data” approaches. There is also 1 mentor in training to ensure that
there is a pathway to develop junior faculty as mentors. The overall program objectives are to 1) provide training
in the fundamental biology and integrative physiology of endocrinology, diabetes, obesity and metabolism in a
disease-oriented environment; 2) integrate innovative “Omics” and “Big Data” approaches into trainee research
projects through co-mentorships; 3) mentor the next generation of investigators who can work at the interface
between the laboratory and clinical medicine to ensure that scientific advances are rapidly translated to improve
the care of patients with endocrine and metabolic disorders, including diabetes and obesity. The combined
training of graduate students (two per year; up to three year appointments), PhD,or MD postdoctoral fellows
(three per year; up to two year appointments) in Endocrinology and Metabolism emphasizes these objectives as
well as the continuum between fundamental science and patient care. The training program contains a core of
didactic activities with additional didactic experiences tailored to the needs of each trainee. Mentor training
occurs at the level of graduate students, post-docs, and faculty. The Individual Development Plan (IDP) was
implemented for all trainees in 2010, well before it was an NIH requirement. Professional development
opportunities include training in manuscript and grant writing, presentation skills, rigor and reproducibility,
responsible conduct of research, and pathways to academic and research success. The rigorous, ongoing
program evaluation will continue to be overseen by the External Advisory Committee and the Northwestern
University Searle Center for Advancing Learning & Teaching. NUPEDHA has an outstanding record of
accomplishment. Over the past 15 years, 23% (10/43) of NUPEDHA trainees (15 predoctoral; 28 postdoctoral)
have been underrepresented minorities (URM). 86% (12/15 predoctoral; 25/28 postdoctoral) have academic or
clinical appointments, research positions in industry, or are continuing in training. Currently, 50% (2/4) of trainees
supported by NUPEDHA are URM.

Grant Number: 5T32DK007169-46
NIH Institute/Center: NIH
Principal Investigator: Joseph Bass