The main purpose of the Biological Sciences Training Program in the Department of Psychiatry at Yale is to train postdoctoral fellows in biological and behavioral sciences relevant to mental illness and health. To attain this goal, the program recruits two groups of postdoctoral trainees: 1) psychiatrists, generally after completing two or three years of clinical residency, and 2) individuals with a Ph.D. degree in a basic science. To help fill a nationally recognized need, the aim of the program is to both increase the number of research psychiatrists with a grounding in basic biological sciences and to develop the interest of basic scientists in clinical problems as well as in interdisciplinary aspects of thir own basic research. Thus, the overall aim is to promote cross-fertilization between basic researchers and individuals who are experienced clinically. Extensive research collaboration between training program faculty members further contributes to interdisciplinary experience of the trainee. It is expected that trainees coming out of this program will be able to bridge the gap between basic and clinical neuroscience in psychiatry. There are 29 faculty members in the program consisting of both basic and clinical researcher scientists. The number of postdoctoral training slots requested is five, the same number as the current grant. The program typically involves training for approximately 2 years in one primary discipline but usually includes direct or collaborative interactions with other disciplines. Laboratory training is offered in the followig fundamental areas of research: neurochemistry, molecular biology, biochemistry, proteomics, electrophysiology, systems neurobiology, and behavior. Clinical research training is offered in behavioral assessment, genetic analysis, biological measurements, and imaging techniques. In addition to specific research training, there are courses in Clinical Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology as well as seminars and regular Workshops in which Fellows present ongoing research to the entire group of faculty and trainees. The training proposal is directly relevant to the research objectives of NIMH by fostering the training of researchers to elucidate the neurobiology of mental disorders and maladaptive behavior. Thus, basic and clinical research is carried out in areas related to anxiety (e.g., panic and post- traumatic stress disorder), obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, affective illnesses (depression and bipolar disorder), and substance abuse. The basic research conducted by the faculty and trainees during their time at Yale and later in their careers will lead to identification and development of novel and more effective therapeutic strategies.
The Biological Sciences Training Program at Yale trains postdoctoral fellows in biological and behavioral sciences relevant to mental illness and health. The aim is to increase both the number of research psychiatrists with grounding in basic biological sciences and to develop the interest of basic scientists in clinical problems as well as in interdisciplinary aspects of their own basic research. The training program helps to fill a nationally recognized need by teaching researchers to elucidate the neurobiology of mental disorders and maladaptive behavior and to identify novel and more effective treatment strategies.
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