This new T-32 application, Preventing Prematurity and Poor Pregnancy Outcomes Training Grant, from the Division of Neonatology/Department of Pediatrics at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine is for the establishment of a postdoctoral training program for pediatric subspecialty fellows with a research and career focus in (a) developmental and perinatal biology, (b) genetic, environmental and biochemical/molecular causes of birth defects, preterm birth and its sequelae and (c) improvement in birth outcomes through translational, epidemiological, quality improvement and comparative effectiveness research. The long-term goals of this program are to develop physician-scientists and future leaders in perinatal research who will make career-long contributions that will positively impact birth outcomes.
The Specific Aims are to identify promising trainees early in pediatric subspecialty fellowship training and provide them with a robust, interdisciplinary research experience under the supervision of a qualified mentor with ready access to adequate laboratory resources, populations or datasets of mothers and infants at risk of poor birth outcomes. This program will capitalize on the vast institutional resources at Vanderbilt including the Vanderbilt CTSA, a plethora of core facilities, the Masters in Public Health and Masters of Science in Clinical Investigation, the Quality Scholars Program and the Vanderbilt Evidence-based Practice Center. Given the strong applicant pool, we propose to fund two positions per year in each of the 2nd and 3rd years of fellowship training with commitment of institutional funds for continued training in a 4th year when desired. A talented group of NIH-funded investigators with proven track records of successful mentorship have been chosen from across multiple disciplines representing the unique research strengths of Vanderbilt University. The program's structured research training will instill the skills and knowledge required to address critical issues in perinatal health outcomes. Promising junior faculty have been identified as mentors-in-training. A 4 member steering committee and a 6-member advisory committee of intramural and extramural experts in the fields of developmental biology, perinatal health outcomes and physician-scientist training will provide guidance on trainee selection and progress and overall program success.

Public Health Relevance

This new T-32 grant will provide structured training for pediatric subspecialty physician- scientists planning an academic career with a research focus in the causes of preterm birth and disorders arising in the perinatal and newborn period. This program will augment the strong track record in the Division of Neonatology and other pediatric subspecialties at Vanderbilt in producing a diverse and expertly trained workforce of academic pediatricians and biomedical scientists to assume leadership roles to meet the healthcare needs of our Nation's children. This program will provide training in the research methods necessary to address important perinatal health issues and the skills required to successfully engage populations of women and infants in research that will ultimate result in the timely translation of fundamental knowledge into meaningful improvements in birth outcomes.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Institutional National Research Service Award (T32)
Project #
5T32HD068256-05
Application #
8909142
Study Section
Biobehavioral and Behavioral Sciences Subcommittee (CHHD)
Program Officer
Raju, Tonse N
Project Start
2011-05-01
Project End
2017-04-30
Budget Start
2015-05-01
Budget End
2017-04-30
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2015
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Department
Pediatrics
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
004413456
City
Nashville
State
TN
Country
United States
Zip Code
37240
Martinez 2nd, Keith A; Romano-Keeler, Joann; Zackular, Joseph P et al. (2018) Bacterial DNA is present in the fetal intestine and overlaps with that in the placenta in mice. PLoS One 13:e0197439
Gnecco, Juan S; Anders, Anjali P; Cliffel, David et al. (2017) Instrumenting a Fetal Membrane on a Chip as Emerging Technology for Preterm Birth Research. Curr Pharm Des 23:6115-6124
Cadar, Adrian G; Feaster, Tromondae K; Durbin, Matthew D et al. (2017) Production of Single Contracting Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiomyocytes: Matrigel Mattress Technique. Curr Protoc Stem Cell Biol 42:4A.14.1-4A.14.7
Pryor, Jason; Patrick, Stephen W; Sundermann, Alexandra C et al. (2017) Pregnancy Intention and Maternal Alcohol Consumption. Obstet Gynecol 129:727-733
Anders, Anjali P; Gaddy, Jennifer A; Doster, Ryan S et al. (2017) Current concepts in maternal-fetal immunology: Recognition and response to microbial pathogens by decidual stromal cells. Am J Reprod Immunol 77:
Sawyer, T; Foglia, E; Hatch, L Dupree et al. (2017) Improving neonatal intubation safety: A journey of a thousand miles. J Neonatal Perinatal Med 10:125-131
Robinson, Jamie R; Rellinger, Eric J; Hatch, L Dupree et al. (2017) Surgical necrotizing enterocolitis. Semin Perinatol 41:70-79
Durbin, Matthew D; Cadar, Adrian G; Williams, Charles H et al. (2017) Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome Sequencing Reveals a Novel NOTCH1 Mutation in a Family with Single Ventricle Defects. Pediatr Cardiol 38:1232-1240
Appareddy, Shyama; Pryor, Jason; Bailey, Beth (2017) Inter-pregnancy interval and adverse outcomes: Evidence for an additional risk in health disparate populations. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 30:2640-2644
Hatch, L Dupree; Grubb, Peter H; Markham, Melinda H et al. (2017) Effect of Anatomical and Developmental Factors on the Risk of Unplanned Extubation in Critically Ill Newborns. Am J Perinatol 34:1234-1240

Showing the most recent 10 out of 28 publications