NIH T32 Training Program in Stem Cell Translational Medicine for Neurological Disorders
NIH T32 Training Program in Stem Cell Translational Medicine for Neurological Disorders
Applications for the next cohort will be due Summer 2024
Application Deadline is due by 11:59 PM on May 31, 2024
What is NIH?
The National Institutes of Health (NIH), a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the nation’s medical research agency for making important discoveries that improve health and save lives. NIH funds awards made to institutions to support groups of pre- and/or postdoctoral fellows, including trainees in basic, clinical, and behavioral research. Ensures that a diverse and highly trained workforce is available to assume leadership roles in biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research.
The Sue & Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center (SCRC)
The SCRC consists of more than 60+ science faculty across the campus who can mentor CIRM Scholars; more mentors will be added in the next years. Activities within the SCRC include basic and translational stem cell research using multidisciplinary approaches, such as cell biology, genomics, computational biology, bioengineering, pre-clinical development, and clinical applications/practice. Faculty members have taken a bench-to-bedside path to various preclinical and clinical development stages. 
Our mentors have all had Implicit Bias and Culturally Aware Mentorship training. Activities within the Center Faculty are also engaged in understanding the stem cell field in the wider context of health disparities and ethics fostering the capability of Scholars to act as ambassadors for stem cell and regenerative medicine field in society at large. There are training and research opportunities across a wide range of topics including new cell sorting and manufacturing methods, biomaterials to control cellular development, 3D cell culture and fused organoids, health disparities, bioethics, and upcoming trials for retinal repair, brain injury, stroke, ALS, and Huntington’s disease.
About the NIH T32 Neuro Training Program
Stem cell medicine promises to revolutionize the treatment of human diseases and injuries and has captured the hopes of the scientific community and the public alike. Perhaps nowhere is the potential of stem cells to treat human disease and injury more promising than for neurologic disorders. In 2013, we launched our Training Program in Stem Cell Translational Medicine for Neurological Disorders (“training program”) at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) with the premise that such training is essential if stem cells are to be used successfully to treat and model neurological disorders. Eleven years later, we believe that this premise is even more true, as many more academic groups and biotechnology companies explore the potential of stem cells to directly treat, or lead to treatments for, human disease and injury.
Three main area of translational research are being conducted: the use of stem cells or their derivatives for transplantation to replace those cells damaged or destroyed by injury, the use of stem cells, including patient derived cells, to study disease processes and mechanisms, and the use of differentiated products of stem cells to screen for drugs that could alleviate disease or damage. In recent years the addition of CRISPR-mediated gene editing and the development of “brain organoids” have added new tools to the arsenal of researchers in the field. For the promise of stem cell treatments to become a reality, not only must basic research advance in this rapidly evolving field, but these advances must also be translated through preclinical and clinical development into clinical practice. Translational approaches must be taught directly.
Program Objectives
The goal of this renewal is to train a new generation of scientists in the translational application of stem cell biology to neuroscience. Our program includes:
- State-of-the-art rigorous and reproducible wet lab science employing training in the fundamental principles of rigor and reproducibility, as well as quantitative and statistical methods
- Clinical experiences to understand and plan research efforts in the context of clinical translation
- Knowledge regarding practical aspects of moving discoveries to clinical trials and therapies through industry internships and Sue and Bill Gross Stem Cell Research Center resources
- Training in scientific and interpersonal communication and interaction skills
- Familiarity with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval processes for clinical trials
- Commitment to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
These workshops/elements of training represent skills that are critical for success in interdisciplinary science and enhance success for all students, particularly underrepresented students because of the focus on and positive impact of networking. These six elements represent unique aspects of training designed for this training program based on UCI’s experience of successful clinical translation.
Requirements for NIH T32 Trainee Nominations
Nominations are requested for pre-doctoral applications for students to be supported from the NIH Training Program in Stem Cell Translational Medicine for Neurological Disorders, NIH T32 NS082174, beginning October 1, 2024. The Training Program Summary is provided below.
Nominees must be Ph.D. students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. They must have completed at least two years of academic training by July 1, 2024, thus beginning their third or fourth year, and must be committed to thesis research in the area of stem cell research with a translational emphasis in neurological disorders. Appointments will be for a two-year period and will involve a comprehensive training program . Second year of funding will be dependent on scientific progress and participation in training activities. Trainees must be willing to accept curricular obligations as described below and will begin the program with an Individual Development Plan tailored to their specific training needs. Faculty mentors of each trainee must also commit to participating fully in training activities . Each student will have both a basic science research mentor and a clinical mentor in their research area.
Program Requirements for NIH T32 Trainees
- Stem Cell Science and Neurological Disorders course (Spring quarter)
- Stem cell Seminar Series
- Annual Retreat
- Establish and Review Individual Development Plan
- Ongoing training activities
- Clinical experience followed by Grand Rounds presentation at end of year
- Industry internship (optional)
- Monthly meeting with T32 PIs
Nominee Requirements:
- Must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
- Completed at least two years of academic training by July 1, 2024, thus being in their third or fourth year.
- Committed to thesis research in the area of stem cell research with a translational emphasis in neurological disorders.
Before completing the application, please have these documents ready for upload:
Required Application Documents:
- NIH Biosketch of the applicant. For Fellowship Biosketch instructions and format: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms/biosketch.htm.
- A 1-2 page letter of nomination from the candidate's thesis advisor. The statement of nomination should explain the student's project and its relationship to the training grant. The statement should also acknowledge that the advisor and student are aware that acceptance of a training grant position comes with certain curricular obligations, and include statements of willingness to participate in training activities.
- A 2 page Project Proposal with Abstract written independently by the candidate - Please limit the abstract to 150 words.
Required Application Documents
Please attach a single PDF file arranged in the following order below:
- NIH Biosketch of the applicant
- For Fellowship Biosketch instructions and format: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/forms/biosketch.htm
- A 1-2 page letter of nomination from the candidate's thesis advisor.
- The statement of nomination should explain the student's project and its relationship to the training grant.
- The statement should also acknowledge that the advisor and student are aware that acceptance of a training grant position comes with certain curricular obligations, and include statements of willingness to participate in training activities.
- A 2-page Project Proposal with Abstract written independently by the candidate (abstract limit to 150 words)
- Completed program application form – Click the “Apply Now” icon below to access the online application.
We will confirm our cohort of NIH T32 Trainees for program appointment start in January.
Applications for the next cohort will be due Summer 2024
Application Deadline is due by 11:59 PM on May 31, 2024
For questions and assistance please contact Abbie Enriquez at abbiee@hs.uci.edu