Cardiovascular Research Training
The Division of Cardiology, in partnership with the Vascular Medicine Institute, provides a robust training environment designed to prepare future leaders in cardiovascular research. Trainees follow individualized career development plans that integrate rigorous research training, formal coursework, and structured mentorship. Supported by NIH training grants, the program emphasizes translational science, giving fellows opportunities to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, pursue meaningful research projects, and develop essential skills in grant writing, scientific communication, and leadership. Hands-on experience with advanced laboratory methods, along with exposure to regulatory and industry perspectives, ensures that trainees are equipped to translate discoveries from bench to bedside.
A cornerstone of this program is its innovative T32 training initiative, which addresses the critical need for scientists who can bridge imaging technology and biomedical research. Postdoctoral fellows (MD or PhD) build core competencies in both multimodality imaging platforms and translational methodologies spanning molecular to population-level science. Guided by a co-mentorship model and individualized development plans, trainees progress through structured milestones while benefiting from enhancements such as specialized coursework in artificial intelligence applications, evidence-based mentor training, mentee empowerment initiatives, and resources to support resilience and well-being. This comprehensive approach equips fellows with the skills and perspective to thrive at the intersection of discovery and clinical application.
Post-Doctoral Training Program in Imaging Sciences in Translational Cardiovascular Research (T32)
Advances in imaging technology lead to discoveries in science and medicine. Conversely, pressing questions in science and medicine drive innovation in imaging technology development, underscoring the fundamental symbiosis between imaging and biomedical research. Imaging scientists must understand what questions are important in biomedical research, while biomedical scientists must be fluent in the imaging technologies that can facilitate discovery. Our T32 program was motivated by the paucity of scientists who can adeptly commute between the imaging science and biomedical research spheres, ultimately compromising the translational relevance of research efforts and contributing to the “Valley of Death” separating basic discovery and clinical application. To bridge this chasm, our T32 Program has used an innovative educational paradigm to train clinical and basic researchers in a broad spectrum of cutting-edge, multimodality imaging platforms as they pursue hypothesis-driven translational cardiovascular research.
Our postdoctoral trainees (MD or PhD) acquire “core competencies” in imaging methods spanning molecular to whole organism (“imaging tool kit”) and translational research methods spanning basic to population levels (“translational tool kit’) – accomplished through a co-mentorship structure. Our approach is structured around an Individual Development Plan with quantifiable milestones and several program enhancements to optimize Trainee outcomes: (1) A lecture series tailored for our Trainees, “Artificial Intelligence in Translational Biomedical Research: AI Literacy for Early Career Scientists” to prepare them for a future in which AI tools are ubiquitous in scientific research; (2) An evidence-based mentor training program and oversight process; (3) Mentee empowerment training; and (4) Resources to promote Trainee well-being and resilience.
