This proposal describes an intensive, five-year training program designed to allow the principal investigator to successfully bridge the gap between clinical and basic science training. The ultimate goal of the performance of this training will be to achieve scientific independence in the fields of normal and malignant hematopoiesis. Dr. Conrad is board certified in pediatrics and is currently a third year pediatric hematology/oncology fellow at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. She has been working for the last 18 months in the laboratory of Stephen G. Emerson, M.D., Ph.D. During this time, Dr. Conrad has intensively pursued laboratory investigation and is ready for the next phase of training, progressively independent work. The candidate's research has focused on 1) investigating functional and biological properties of umbilical cord blood (UCB) hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and 2) establishing the NOD/SCID assay using cord blood as the source for stem cells. UCB stem cells are not identical to their bone marrow or peripheral blood counterparts, and seem to act as a more primitive population. Immunodeficient mice, including NOD/SCID, have become the preferred in vivo assay for HSCs. Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is believed to be a myeloproliferative disorder of stem-cell origin. Therefore, experiments designed to investigate fundamental questions relating to pathogenesis of CML will be optimized utilizing a system of UCB HSCs and NOD/SCID mice. Dr. Conrad's sponsor, Dr. Emerson, is division chief of the hematology/oncology section at the University of Pennsylvania. He holds a Ph.D. in cell biology and immunology and was scientific director of the alloBMT program at the University of Michigan. He has significantly contributed to and remains committed to Dr. Conrad's growth into a physician scientist.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Clinical Investigator Award (CIA) (K08)
Project #
1K08HL004263-01
Application #
2741674
Study Section
Subcommittee G - Education (NCI)
Program Officer
Myrick, Dorkina C
Project Start
1999-09-20
Project End
2001-08-31
Budget Start
1999-09-20
Budget End
2001-08-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1999
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Department
Type
DUNS #
073757627
City
Philadelphia
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
19104