Training Program for Clinical Scholars in
Cardiovascular Science
Program Director: Susan Smyth, MD, PhD
Description
The University of Kentucky Training Program for Clinical Scholars in Cardiovascular Science is designed to prepare exceptional clinical and postdoctoral fellows to assume leadership positions directing multidisciplinary research in the field of cardiovascular medicine. In the last several years, as a consequence of substantial institutional commitment, we have assembled a integrated approach of incorporating basic, translational and clinical cardiovascular science in four concentrations: Thrombosis and Inflammation; Atherosclerosis and Aneurysm; Cardiac Hypertrophy and Heart Failure; and Vascular Cell Response to Stress. Our cardiovascular science strengths to provide a unique multidisciplinary training program that unites trainees across the disciplines of Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy with the goal of increasing the pipeline of clinical investigators who will bridge the gap between basic science advances and their application to clinical medicine. Specifically, we aim to:
1) To provide a rigorous and solid research education in the basic sciences related to cardiovascular research
2) To prepare new researchers for translational and clinical science in a highly interdisciplinary environment
3) To provide training in the efficient and ethical conduct of high quality laboratory management and science
4) To create an environment that incubates fellows and mentors with an innovative and nurturing structure of interlaced mentoring teams
The program is available to MD, RN/PhD, PharmD, and PhDs with clinical emphasis who are at the early postdoctoral stage of their careers. Upon completion of the program, we anticipate that the trainees will have the experience and capabilities necessary to initiate an independent career as clinical investigator.
Training Faculty
All training faculty are members of the Cardiovascular Research Center and are NIH-funded basic scientists and/or NIH- and industry-sponsored clinical scientists with primary research in one of four strength areas: Thrombosis, Heart Failure, Atherosclerosis and Aneurysm, and Vascular Biology. Across these four areas, the faculty share an interest in understanding at a cell and molecular level nodal check points in which inflammation, thrombosis, nutritional and metabolic pathways intersect to impact the development and progression of ischemic vascular disease, aortic aneurysm, and heart failure.
Advisors
Steve Browning, College of Public Health, Epidemiology Advisor
Selection Process
Eligibility Requirements
Paul Anaya, Internal Medicine
C. William
Balke, Biochemistry
Dennis Bruemmer,
Internal Medicine
Lisa Cassis, Nutritional Sciences
Ye Chen-Izu, Internal Medicine
Misook Chung, College of Nursing
Leslie Crofford, Internal Medicine
Alan Daugherty, Internal
Medicine
Frederick de Beer, Internal
Medicine
Ming Gong, Physiology
Leighton Izu, Internal Medicine
Victoria King, Internal Medicine
Terry Lennie, College of Nursing
David Moliterno, Internal Medicine
Andrew Morris, Internal Medicine
Debra K. Moser, College of Nursing
Debabarata Muhkerjee, Internal Medicine
Mariana Nikolova-Karakashian, Physiology
Abhijit Patwardhan,
Graduate Center Biomedical Engineering
Steven Post, Pharmacology
Eric Smart, Pediatrics
Susan Smyth, Internal
Medicine
Daret St. Clair, Toxicology
Sean Stocker, Physiology
Lisa Tannock, Internal
Medicine
Nancy Webb,
Internal Medicine
Deneys van der Westhuyzen,
Internal Medicine
Sidney Whiteheart, Biochemistry
Khaled Ziada, Internal Medicine
Richard Charnigo, Biostatistics, Statistical Advisor
Bessie Guerrant, Office of Research Assessment, Diversity Advisor
Ada Sue Selwitz, Office of Research Integrity, Research Ethics Advisor
Applicants who display the highest potential for success as clinical scientists in academic cardiovascular medicine will be selected as Program scholars. The choice will be made on the basis of academic qualifications, training background, performance record during clinical training, and research accomplishments (papers, abstracts, or other presentations of original work). Importantly, applicants will be judged on the basis of their potential to develop into a successful clinical researcher with leadership skills, as evidenced by previous leadership roles and letters of recommendation.
Individuals selected for research training supported by NRSA institutional training grants must be citizens or non-citizen nationals of the United States, or must have been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence, i.e., in possession of a currently valid Alien Registration Receipt Card I-551, or some other legal verification of legal admission as a permanent resident. Non-citizen nationals are generally persons born in outlying possessions of the United States (e.g., American Samoa and Swains Island). Individuals on temporary or student visas are not eligible for Kirschstein-NRSA support. In addition, trainees must be able to commit full-time effort in the program at the time of appointment.
Postdoctoral trainees must have received, as of the beginning date of the NRSA appointment, a Ph.D., M.D., D.D.S., or comparable doctoral degree from an accredited domestic or foreign institution. Eligible doctoral degrees include, but are not limited to, the following: D.M.D., D.C., D.O., D.V.M., O.D., D.P.M., Sc.D., Eng.D., Dr. P.H., D.N.Sc., Pharm.D., N.D. (Doctor of Naturopathy), D.S.W., Psy.D, as well as a doctoral degree in nursing research or practice.
