This competitive renewal application (5T32GM086270) seeks funding for years 6-10 of our successful T32 postdoctoral training program in anesthesiology and perioperative medicine research training at the University of Washington. Our primary objective is to provide in-depth research training at the postdoctoral level in cutting edge (and emerging) areas of biomedical science related to anesthesiology and perioperative medicine. Trainees from our first funding cycle have demonstrated success in this program, producing numerous peer- reviewed publications, achieving research honors and awards, attaining seed and startup grant funding, and presenting at scientific conferences. Reflecting the unique interdisciplinary composition of our department faculty and our educational mission, an important expansion of our training program is to provide interprofessional education to M.D. and Ph.D. clinician-scientists. We propose training six fellows per year who will spend 2-3 years cumulative time in research in one of a variety of laboratories in the Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine or in collaborating basic science and clinical departments (e.g., Pharmacology, Genetics, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Bioethics). Research opportunities are offered by 60NIH- funded faculty mentors with proven records of success in the training of postdoctoral fellows, with diverse research programs ranging from laboratory-based science to translational, clinical, and health services research. Core faculty research leaders will help match trainees to mentors within six major research areas relevant to anesthesiology and perioperative medicine including (alphabetically): 1) cardiovascular-pulmonary biology, 2) clinical outcomes research & epidemiology, 3) genome sciences & bioinformatics, 4) neurosciences, 5) pain, and 6) pharmacology.
Aims of the program are: to recruit outstanding diverse postdoctoral trainees from a national applicant pool; provide trainees with interdisciplinary theories and methods pertinent to their research area; provide trainees with the practical skills to design and conduct high quality research in anesthesiology and perioperative medicine (including fundamental research skills, understanding responsible conduct of research, ability to disseminate research findings, and acquire successful grantsmanship skills and independent funding); and to create a supportive environment through strong mentorship, a breadth of research opportunities, and collaboration across departments. Trainee progress is monitored regularly by an individualized fellow-specific review committee with summary findings reported to the departmental training grant advisory committee responsible for accepting/hiring fellows and following their progress. In addition, an external scientific oversight board meets yearly to offer advice to the program directors on all aspects of the training program. The overall intent of the program is to develop the next generation of clinician scientist leaders in anesthesiology and perioperative medicine research.
A crucial need exists for anesthesiology and perioperative medicine investigators with a broad range of theoretical, methodological, and technical knowledge. These attributes are required to advance scientific opportunities from basic, behavioral, population and clinical sciences to novel applications that reduce the burden placed on patients and their families by pain, stress, and perioperative complications.
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