T32 Training Grants

UNC has many training grants to support students in their research and development as scientists. Here is a list of the current T32s that BBSP students can apply to. Applications for most programs open in early May.

Bioinformatics & Computational Biology (BCB)

Eligibility: second-year graduate students
PIs: Will Valdar, Tim Elston
Website
Requirements: enrolled in the BCB Curriculum

The mission of the BCB curriculum is to train the next generation of scientists with the computational and quantitative skills required to make important contributions to modern biological and biomedical research. To accomplish this goal, not only requires students receive training in computational, mathematical and statistical approaches, but also that they become sufficiently versed in biology and acquire skills required for multidisciplinary team science. The BCB curriculum also strives to provide students with the professional skills required to successfully transition into careers in the biomedical workforce. The T32 training program supports 5 BCB PhD curriculum students during their second year of graduate training.

Biophysics

Eligibility: second- and third-year graduate students
PIs: Brian Kuhlman, Kevin Slep
Website
Requirements: enrolled in the MCBP Curriculum

Biophysics is an interdisciplinary field of the biomedical sciences that aims to understand the mechanisms of human health and disease on a molecular scale using the tools of the physical and quantitative sciences. The Molecular and Cellular Biophysics Program (MCBP) is an established and highly successful training program in biophysics that trains a diverse cohort of students in this rapidly advancing and critical field. Program graduates will be equipped to pursue innovative career trajectories that drive biomedical research and education through the training and leadership skills they developed and honed in the MCBP.

Cancer Cell Biology

PI: Adrienne Cox
Website
Requirements: enrolled in the GMB Curriculum

This unique program combines formal training in molecular/cellular oncogenesis and the pathobiology of cancer, with the opportunity to work in one of 42 state-of-the-art cancer research laboratories.

Cardiovascular Epidemiology

PI: Wayne Rosamond

The goal of this program is to train effective and independent researchers in the disciplines and methods intersecting cardiovascular epidemiology, in order to channel qualified scientists into a diversified workforce capable of addressing the national and worldwide burden of CVD. These researchers will be trained in the competencies necessary to conduct innovative research designed for impact.

Chemical Biology

Eligibility: second- and third-year graduate students
PI: Jeffrey Aube
Requirements: enrolled in the CBMC or Chemistry Curricula

The Chemical Biology Interface training program helps trainees obtain the breadth of scientific training necessary for modern, mechanistically informed chemical biology. The program is available to trainees working in the labs of designated mentors in the Division of Chemical Biology and Medicinal Chemistry (CBMC), Department of Chemistry, and the Department of Microbiology.

Cellular Systems & Integrative Physiology (CSIP)

Eligibility: second- and third-year graduate students
PIs: Kathleen Caron, Natasha Snider
Website
Requirements: enrolled in the CBP Curriculum; priority for students who have completed at least one of CBP 850-853

The mission of the CSIP Training Program is to develop a diverse pool of responsible, rigorous scientists who have the skills to investigate the integrative, regulatory and developmental physiology of higher organisms and their organ systems by elucidating the functional cellular components of these processes and furthermore, can transition these skills into a wide variety of careers in the biomedical workforce and overall society.

Genetics & Molecular Biology (GMB)

Eligibility: second- and third-year graduate students (students apply at the end of their first year)
PI: Jeff Sekelsky
Website
Requirements: enrolled in the GMB Curriculum

The Curriculum in Genetics and Molecular Biology (GMB) is an interdepartmental PhD program whose mission is (1) to train students from diverse backgrounds to earn a PhD in the fields of genetics, genomics, and molecular biology by guiding them through the acquisition of essential elements of the PhD, including responsible achievement of significant original research; and (2) to provide opportunities for learning about the breadth of careers in research and research-related fields and acquiring the skills and experiences that will facilitate the transition into such careers.

Integrated Translational Oncology (iTOP)

PIs: Jen Jen Yeh, William Kim
Website
Requirements: mentors in iTOP

The goal of UNC-iTOP is to train MD, PhD, MD-PhD candidates and post-doctoral fellows in an integrated, interdisciplinary program of translational and clinical research skills development and individualized research experiences for translational oncology tissue-based research.

Integrative Vascular Biology (IVB)

Eligibility: first- and second-year graduate students
PI: Chris Mack
Website

IVB members will learn to apply state of the art molecular and cellular techniques to answer critical questions in cardiovascular science, to merge discovery and hypothesis-based research, and to integrate cellular, whole animal, and human studies. A major goal of the program is to promote collaborative and interdisciplinary research. Thus, each trainee will be expected to choose a secondary/complementary faculty mentor and will spend substantial time in his or her laboratory learning novel and complimentary approaches. To promote scientific and professional development, trainees will be required to participate in the IVB discussion group (meets every other week), to attend McAllister Heart Institute (MHI) cardiovascular biology seminars, to participate in and present at the annual spring IVB/MHI Research Symposium, and to complete at least one of the following discussion-based courses; Path 766 – Current topics in cardiovascular science and/or Path 767 – Molecular and cellular biology of cardiovascular disease. Finally, all trainees and their mentors will be asked to actively participate in the administration of program activities.

MiBio

Eligibility: second- and third-year graduate students
PI: Dale Ramsden
Requirements: enrolled in the GMB, Pathobiology, CBP, or Pharmacology Curricula

The Mechanistic, interdisciplinary studies in Biology (MiBio) program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill helps trainees develop into innovative, rigorous scientists who use quantitative methods to understand complex biomedical research problems. Our program builds the teamwork, research, and analytical skills that trainees need to collaborate within interdisciplinary teams to solve problems using multimodal approaches. Graduates of the MiBio program will be prepared to identify and obtain fulfilling careers in which they drive advances in biomedical research.

Neuroscience

Eligibility: first- and second-year graduate students
PI: Mark Zylka
Website
Requirements: enrolled in the Neuroscience Curriculum; first-years enrolled in NBIO 722; second-years completed NBIO 722-723

The Neuroscience Curriculum offers training across the breadth of basic and clinical neuroscience using state of the art methodologies to study nervous system function and development. Collegiality, collaboration and enhancement of personal career development are integral parts of the Curriculum.

Nutrition

Eligibility: PhD students in Nutrition
PI: Linda Adair
Requirements: willing to complete fellowship requirements, including working with program faculty, coursework, and other requirements including a 2-part internship in a global setting

This cross- disciplinary nutrition-focused program provides specialized training to develop a cadre of researchers who can bridge basic, translational, and population science to reduce the growing burden and disparities in GCMD. The program is guided by an internal training committee and an external advisory board. Trainees complete the PhD in nutrition and GCMD program-specific requirements, including specialized courses in global health and cardiovascular disease and options for in-depth training in (1) specialized methods important for GCMD, (2) translational medicine, or (3) implementation science. All trainees participate in a seminar led by the program directors, mentored research practicums, training in the responsible conduct of research, and mentoring for professional development, including submitting an NIH-style predoctoral and/or F award or similar application for extramural funding, and unique global internships with 15 global mentors who are exceptional CMD researchers working at 13 top universities or research centers in 11 countries.

Pharmacology

Eligibility: second- and third-year graduate students
PI: Mike Emanuele
Website
Requirements: enrolled in the Pharmacology Curriculum

The goals of the Pharmacological Training Program (PSTP) are for our students to acquire a working knowledge of modern pharmacology, an in-depth knowledge of his or her research interest, an ability to communicate effectively their research results in both oral and written form.

Respiratory Pathogens (PRP)

Eligibility: second-, third-, and fourth-year graduate students
Requirements: enrolled in the M&I or GMB Curricula qualify if working in a PRP mentor’s laboratory

New Program. Notice of Award is Pending. The mission of the Predoctoral Training Program in Respiratory Pathogens (PRP) is to train the next generation of pathogenesis researchers in the skills necessary to advance our understanding of respiratory infectious diseases. To
achieve this mission, we will: 1) provide a diverse cohort of predoctoral students with in-depth knowledge of respiratory pathogens and respiratory infectious diseases and rigorously train them in scientific reasoning and experimental approaches; 2) bring together basic, translational, and clinician scientists with expertise in respiratory viruses, bacteria, fungi, and immune responses to foster an integrated multidisciplinary training experience; and 3) provide students with professional skills training and career awareness opportunities.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) & HIV

Eligibility: predoc in epidemiology, health behavior, or micro & immuno having passed comprehensive exams and currently working with a program affiliated mentor; postdoc within epidemiology, health behavior, micro & immuno, or infectious diseases and working with an affiliated faculty mentor
PI: Ada Adimora
Requirements: nominated by a STI/HIV training program faculty mentor

The goals of the STI/HIV Training Program at UNC are to:

Train pre- and post-doctoral trainees to conduct outstanding STI/HIV research.
Foster development of the skills necessary to conduct productive interdisciplinary research.
Facilitate professional growth and development to ensure academic and research success.

Toxicology

Eligibility: first- and second-year graduate students
PI: Ilona Jaspers
Website
Requirements: enrolled in the Toxicology & Environmental Medicine Curriculum

The mission of the NIEHS T32 Training grant in Toxicology and Environmental Health is to train students and postdocs to integrate knowledge in basic biomedical sciences with next-generation research tools to advance environmental health and toxicology in the 21st century. The overarching goal of this interdisciplinary training program is to prepare future scientists to address emerging challenges in environmental health and toxicology through collaborative, cross-disciplinary, and state-of-the-art training.

Translational Medicine (PiTM)

Eligibility: second- and third-year graduate students
PIs: Alisa Wolberg, Jen Jen Yeh
Website
Requirements: trainees must have a primary research mentor and a clinical co-mentor

The primary objective of the UNC Program in Translational Medicine (PiTM) is to train a cadre of Ph.D. researchers with the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize, appreciate, and address clinically-relevant biological problems related to human disease from the perspective of basic science. To accomplish this goal, the Program trains basic science Ph.D. students to work in multidisciplinary teams composed of scientists, physician-scientists, and clinicians, using state-of-the-art experimental approaches and patient-derived resources. Ph.D. students have a dual (scientist/clinical) mentored experience, a rigorous clinical exposure, and blended core coursework that enhances training in translational medicine. Trainees also receive additional training to build communication and leadership skills essential for future team science and community outreach endeavors. Cross-departmental program, trainees must propose a dissertation project that includes at least one specific aim involving clinical/translational research, defined broadly as:

Basic science studies that define the biological effects of therapeutics in humans, OR
Investigations in humans that define the biology of disease and provide the scientific foundation for development of new or improved biomarkers or therapies for human disease, OR
Non-human or non-clinical studies conducted with the intent to advance therapies to the clinic or to develop principles for application of therapeutics to human disease, OR
Any clinical trial of a therapy that was initiated with any endpoint (toxicity and/or efficacy).

Virology

Eligibility: second-, third-, and fourth-year graduate students
PI: Mark Heise
Requirements: student completes required virology coursework, mentors in Virology Training Program

The Molecular Biology of Viral Diseases Training Program’s objective is to provide predoctoral virology trainees at UNC with the opportunity to train with and interact with mentors who will provide them with outstanding training in multiple aspect of virology and virology related research. The UNC virology faculty conduct research on wide variety of viral pathogens ranging from double stranded DNA viruses to single stranded RNA viruses or retroviruses, or work in fields that are closely related to virology, such as computational virology, viral evolution, RNA structure, vaccine development or gene therapy vector development. Therefore, our trainees receive broad based training that enhances the students’ fundamental knowledge of viruses, while also providing the students with access to training in translational research.