Training Grants - Cardiovascular Pathophysiology

      The broad objectives of this program continues to be the training of creative, productive and highly competent investigators who will study many aspects of the complex mechanisms involved in cardiovascular disease.  As this category of diseases accounts for a great proportion of the morbidity and mortality of the American population, the training of new young scientists dedicated to the understanding of these diseases will build the human infrastructure to advance the public health.

            This Cardiovascular Pathophysiology and Biochemistry Training Program (CPBTP), now in its 30th year of funding, is conducted in a diverse scientific environment where the basic biological sciences, the medical school and clinical programs are highly integrated within the same Division of Biological Sciences operating on a single relatively compact campus at the University of Chicago. It supports both predoctoral and postdoctoral training. The predoctoral program operates within the Biomedical Sciences Cluster (BMSC) involving five graduate programs: Cancer Biology, Immunology, Microbiology Molecular Metabolism and Nutrition and Molecular Pathogenesis and Molecular Medicine. The last two graduate programs account for almost all of the predoctoral trainees supported by the Cardiovascular Pathophysiology and Biochemistry Training Grant (CPBTG). The CPBTP draws strength from its interdepartmental roots, allowing trainees to take courses and gain expertise in Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, Genetics, Immunology, Microbiology, Medicine and Pathology. The rigorous training includes a required biweekly journal club where integrative cardiovascular science is emphasized.  This is also accomplished through seminar series in Cardiology, Pathology and Molecular Medicine.  Carefully selected postdoctoral trainees participate in the majority of the above mentioned activities.

            The past funding period has been successful in terms of recruitment, training, scientific productivity and overall visibility. Faculty of considerable renown have joined the program. There is exceptionally strong institutional support for this dynamic program, reflected through the institutional recruitments and support of new building for further expansion and the ongoing support of core facilities. The University of Chicago is involved in a major enhancement in its cardiovascular science portfolio accompanying the recent appointment and recruitment goals of the new Chairs in Medicine and Pediatrics.  With many outstanding applicants accompanying the growth of renowned faculty, this program continues to rank among the best programs in the country. Accordingly this application seeks support for nine predoctoral and four postdoctoral training positions (the same total number of training positions currently supported by CPBTG).

              The CPBTP supports seven predoctoral trainees and six postdoctoral trainees.  Trainees are normally sponsored by a CPBTP faculty trainer or other University of Chicago faculty member in the Biological Sciences Division.  These fellowships are open only to US Citizens or Permanent Residents.  All postdoctoral applicants must prepare a packet for review by the Steering Committee consisting of the following documentation.

     1.  The proposed sponsor should provide a cover letter with a statement indicating the relevance of the proposed training to this particular training grant and to his/her cardiovascular oriented research.  Please also include the date the applicant can start in the lab (or if the applicant is already there); the amount of previous postdoc experience the candidate has.   Please note that the faculty sponsor cover letter does not count as a letter of recommendation.

      2.  An application package submitted by the prospective trainee to the faculty sponsor (also required from candidates already in the lab).  Please note that it is expected that the applicant, and not the sponsor, will write the proposal, and that applicants are urged to use this proposal package as the basis for additional (external) funding applications:

a.         A cover letter asking to join  the lab, or for trainees already in the lab, a cover letter asking for sponsorship on the grant.  Please note your citizenship status so the faculty member can determine yoru eligibility for this fellowship program.

b.               Project description consisting of specific aims, description of the proposed research, and the relevance of the proposal to cardiovascular pathophysiology and biochemistry research.

c.                   Career statement.

d.                  Ph.D. thesis description, including thesis title.

            e.         Curriculum vitae or research bibliography.

            f.          Undergraduate and graduate transcripts.

            g.         If applicant is an MD, DDS or DVM, include a letter of recommendation from Dean of Students.

            h.         Three letters of recommendation.

     3.  Copies of papers published, in press or submitted by the applicant.

      The postdoctoral candidate should be aware that he/she will be asked to sign a pay-back agreement with the government (NIH), for the first year of support only, and that this constitutes a legal document.  The postdoctoral candidate should be aware that the training grant supports health fees for the candidate only.  Family coverage must be arranged through other sources.

          For more information regarding this training program you may contact Tracie DeMack by phone, 773-834-3899, or email.