DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This is an application for renewal of the Institutional Training Grant, "Graduate Research Training in Neonatal Translational Research." The goal of this interdisciplinary Program of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) is to provide comprehensive postdoctoral training and mentored career development for pediatricians with MD or MD, PhD degrees committed to an academic career with a strong component in "basic laboratory-to-human subjects (T1)" or "evidence-to-practice (T2)" research. This Program stems from a previous 30-year old NICHD-funded joint training program (Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine), in which >70% of graduates remain productive researchers and academic leaders in their respective fields. This application focuses on neonatologists-in-training, providing new and enhanced training opportunities in the neurosciences, stem cell biology, epidemiology and clinical investigation relevant to human development and neonatal disorders. The key elements of the proposed training are: (1) a mentored research experience, (2) scientific course work, (3) career development workshops, (4) interdisciplinary experiences and (5) continuing review and evaluation. The program provides two years of advanced research training for a total of three fellows. Thirty-four exceptionally well-qualified faculty members have committed their support as research mentors for this program that have combined NIH support of over 83 million dollars. All fellows will take courses in Responsible Conduct in Research, Scientific Writing and the Art of Lecturing. The fellow and research mentor determine additional course work in the specific field of research. A mentoring committee supports Fellows in setting and monitoring progress towards research and career goals. The Program Advisory Committee, comprising prominent UCSF investigators, active mentors and a distinguished External Reviewer, performs annual evaluation of all Fellows and the Program.

The proposed training program will prepare the next generation of researchers and leaders to make advances in our understanding and treatment of diseases afflicting preterm and full term infants.