PROJECT SUMMARY This application is for the 3rd competitive period of this Training Program, the sole training program in lung science in Columbia University. The 2nd competitive period was highly successful. We more than doubled trainee recruitment from the 1st cycle. We were successful with our emphasis in recruiting women. A major emphasis in this cycle will be to enhance Diversity in the trainee and mentor pools. A majority of our graduates placed in competitive faculty positions at major academic centers and were awarded competitive funding. We will continue our high standard of training for promising MD, or PhD (or equivalent) postdocs to prepare them for academic careers in lung science. Main features of the Program are: mentored training in research, exposure to multiple courses in basic and translational science in pulmonology, and to multiple courses in career development and scientific conduct. Research areas span a wide range of pulmonary disciplines including basic and translational science of Acute Lung Injury (ALI), Lung Development, Asthma/COPD and Lung Vascular Biology. New training directions include stem and pluripotential cell biology, precision medicine and genomics. We almost doubled our pool of world class mentors, several being innovators in their fields. Research facilities are mainly centered in the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University. Fewer than 2% of applicants are selected from a competitive pool of applicants after review of their credentials and interviews with the members of the Program’s Executive Committee. The Program will continue to be selective, of high quality and inclusive of under-represented minorities.

PROJECT NARRATIVE The Columbia University Training Program in Lung Science aims to utilize the rich faculty and didactic resources at the University to train postdoctoral scientists pursuing either basic science or translational research in lung disease, to prepare them for scientific careers in academia.