Project Summary This is a renewal application for continued support of a T-32 training program at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine. This program is specifically designed for MDs and non-physician postdocs committed to a career in clinical and population cardiovascular research. The evolving nature of our nation’s cardiovascular research agenda will require a biomedical workforce that includes diverse scientists well-trained in clinical and population cardiovascular research. Here we propose to recruit two to three post-doctoral trainees per year into a two-year research training program that includes a thesis-based Master’s Degree in Clinical and Population Translational Science, participation in extramural seminars and short courses such as the NHLBI- sponsored Ten-Day Seminar on the Epidemiology and Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease, comprehensive professional development and networking activities, and a diverse array of faculty-mentored research opportunities. The program has a 14-year track record of successful recruitment and retention of highly qualified trainees – including under-represented minorities, has developed and continually improved a scientifically relevant educationally focused training experience, has a Program Director and diverse Faculty with extensive research and mentoring experience, and has a rich and institutionally supportive environment in which to carry out this program.

Project Narrative The need for cardiovascular disease training programs focused on clinical and population research is more compelling than ever. This training program, now in its 14th year, is specifically designed for clinical investigators seeking to apply state-of-the-art clinical and population research methods to important cardiovascular research questions. Such clinical investigators are urgently needed to address important aspects of our nation’s cardiovascular research agenda.