This is a new application, in response to RFA-DK-02-024, for the establishment of a NIH-supported training program in pediatric diabetes at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh (CHP), Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh. Throughout its history the diabetes program at CHP has been a strong advocate for research and teaching aimed at the improvement of the lives of children with diabetes. With the reshaping of academic medicine and the increased demands for clinical revenue generation, and with the escalating medical school loans, the physician-scientist is becoming an endangered species. Therefore, the aim of this training application is to prepare clinician-scientists for independent academic careers in pediatric diabetes, emphasizing the clinical application of basic science advances. The core training components of the fellowship program are: 1) apprenticeship with an academically successful mentor; 2) individually tailored course work and didactic study for each fellow based upon specific research and educational needs; 3) exposure to a broad range of interdisciplinary diabetes research seminars; 4) development of core research survival skills; 5) close follow up and guidance of trainee progress; and 6) evolution towards an independent academic career. The organizational structure of the training program includes: 1) the Program Director, Silva Arslanian, M.D., who is the Director of the pediatric General Clinical Research Center; 2) the Program Co-Director, Massimo Trucco M.D. who is the Director of the JDRF Center at CHP and the University; 3) the Executive Committee, comprised of the Associate Directors of five different research tracks in diabetes; 4) the Training Committee, custom designed for each trainee; and 5) an External Advisory Board of 3 highly accomplished diabetes researchers. Our program will involve two-three years of research training beyond the first year of clinical fellowship (funded by the hospital) in Pediatric Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes Mellitus. Support for 3 positions per year is requested for physicians who possess a M.D., or M.D., Ph.D. or D.O. degrees. Special consideration is given to recruiting and retaining individuals from minority populations. This program will foster the development of a diverse and highly trained workforce of pediatric diabetologists to assume leadership roles related to the nation's biomedical and behavioral research efforts in childhood diabetes.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Institutional National Research Service Award (T32)
Project #
1T32DK063686-01
Application #
6581116
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZDK1-GRB-B (O2))
Program Officer
Hyde, James F
Project Start
2003-07-01
Project End
2008-06-30
Budget Start
2003-07-01
Budget End
2004-06-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2003
Total Cost
$197,255
Indirect Cost
Name
Children's Hosp Pittsburgh/Upmc Health Sys
Department
Type
DUNS #
044304145
City
Pittsburgh
State
PA
Country
United States
Zip Code
15224
Tfayli, Hala; Ulnach, Julia Warren; Lee, SoJung et al. (2011) Drospirenone/ethinyl estradiol versus rosiglitazone treatment in overweight adolescents with polycystic ovary syndrome: comparison of metabolic, hormonal, and cardiovascular risk factors. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 96:1311-9
Artz, Evelyn; Warren-Ulanch, Julia; Becker, Dorothy et al. (2008) Seropositivity to celiac antigens in asymptomatic children with type 1 diabetes mellitus: association with weight, height, and bone mineralization. Pediatr Diabetes 9:277-84
Warren-Ulanch, Julia; Arslanian, Silva (2006) Treatment of PCOS in adolescence. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab 20:311-30