Subproject for Transplant Surgery Scientist Training Program

As a result of our experience from the first funding cycle, and in recognition that the needs for training in general, and research training in particular were evolving, we formulated and defined two distinct training tracks for the first competitive renewal in 2011: 1) NUCTRIBE (the Northwestern University Collaborative for Transplant Research in Immunobiology and Biomedical Engineering), and 2) NUTORC (the Northwestern University Transplant Outcomes Research Collaborative). NUCTRIBE forms the umbrella for the basic and translational science research component of the TSSTP. The mission of NUCTRIBE is to provide bench research training in basic and translational research in transplant surgery-related science that instructs trainees on new, cutting-edge scientific techniques and knowledge that will change the face of organ transplantation for the next 30 years. The NUTORC track is designed to facilitate and demands were different for basic/translational than for outcomes/health services research. Both tracks provide intensive, rigorous training by hands-on mentors, as well as classroom education. Both tracks are required to take coursework in the responsible conduct of research. Both tracks uniquely prepare trainees to perform innovative, state-of-the-science research in transplant surgery-related fields. For this second competitive renewal, we now build further on the evolution of this training program by focusing each of these 2 training tracks on specific research areas that leverage our institutional strengths. However, it should be clear that the original and overarching goal of this training program is left largely unchanged: to foster and support inter-dependent transplant research, driven by both scientific advances in general, and unmet needs in transplantation in particular. While some of the details of the training model have evolved over time, the objectives of this training grant remain unchanged: to 1) provide stipend support for trainees; 2) provide multi-level, inter-disciplinary mentorship bringing together academic transplant clinicians with state-of-the science methodologies; 3) protect trainees from clinical activities that compete for their time; 4) sustain an administrative structure that expands the ethnic diversity and quality of the candidate pool; 5) provide training opportunities that span the spectrum from both basic/translational science to clinical/outcomes/health services research at their intersection with clinical transplantation; and 6) continue an ongoing evaluation process for determining whether or not the program is meeting its goals and objectives. Over the five-year period of the renewal, the projected number of participating trainees is nine which includes three postdoctoral trainees per year with each trainee completing a two-year appointment. Trainees appointed in the fifth year will complete the first year of their two-year appointment, with the hope that the second year of their appointment would occur during the first year of the next competitive segment.