Predoctoral fellows will follow the core epidemiology curriculum established by the UNC-CH epidemiology department, the GenHLB training program, and supplemental courses recommended by research mentors.
The GenHLB training program requires that predoctoral fellows complete four general GenHLB courses (8 credits total) spanning the pathophysiology, epidemiology, and genetic epidemiology of HLB phenotypes:
In addition to these courses, predoctoral fellows will complete two additional graduate-level courses in their complementary training dimension (e.g. courses offered by the Departments of Anthropology, Biology, Biostatistics, Genetics, Nutrition, and Sociology). This level of advanced training is similar in scope to the training required for predoctoral fellows selecting formal minors.
All fellows will complete a 20-hour responsible conduct of research (RCR) course, which addresses all the NIH-required topics for the first phase of RCR training, including human subjects research, conflicts of interest, and mentor/mentee relationships.
Training
The below resources are provided as an example of the wide-ranging training opportunities available to our predoctoral fellows.
The ability to identify an important research topic and prepare a grant application that meets NIH standards is a career development milestone meriting a multi-pronged training program. GenHLB trainees will complete an intensive two-semester research design course (EPID 725/726), during which time they will develop an NIH R01 application with sustained input from their research mentors. EPID 725/726 has been highly successful promoting student-led grant applications, reflecting Institutional support for fellow-developed grants that include limited faculty funding. GenHLB faculty also organize twice-yearly formal grant reviews, which follow NIH study section format, and engage outside experts as needed.
The ability to identify an important research topic and prepare a grant application that meets NIH standards is a career development milestone meriting a multi-pronged training program. GenHLB trainees will complete an intensive two-semester research design course (EPID 725/726), during which time they will develop an NIH R01 application with sustained input from their research mentors. EPID 725/726 has been highly successful promoting student-led grant applications, reflecting Institutional support for fellow-developed grants that include limited faculty funding. GenHLB faculty also organize twice-yearly formal grant reviews, which follow NIH study section format, and engage outside experts as needed.
The UNC-CH Department of Epidemiology offers several seminar series, including a weekly CVD epidemiology seminars, which include topics of direct interest to GenHLB fellows. Both seminar series are attended by faculty, fellows, and staff across UNC-CH and strive to include multidisciplinary topics.
Monthly journal clubs will promote fellows’ awareness of current publications in the broad area of genetic epidemiology and CVD epidemiology, while enhancing her literature review skills. As an example, the CVD epidemiology journal club has brought together fellows and faculty for the last 11 years across UNC-CH departments and schools. Experts from the broader research community (e.g., neighboring institutions, visiting faculty) also are invited to facilitate interdisciplinary interactions and promote research networking. GenHLB fellows will present one paper annually.
GenHLB fellows are offered repeated opportunities to hone their public speaking skills. Each GenHLB fellow will present at least one seminar during his/her training. Tailored support for these presentations as well as presentations at scientific and professional meetings include rehearsals and recording of seminars for evaluation by the fellow and his/her research mentors using a guide prepared by the UNC-CH Center for Faculty Excellence. Fellows also are encouraged to leverage other UNC-CH seminar presentation and public speaking resources (https://tracs.unc.edu/). Other examples of resources include a public speaking club that assists with defenses, interviews, and professional presentations (http://www.unc.edu/bellttmi/).
The peer-led workshop is a highly successful meeting of pre- and post-doctoral fellows who share interests in CVD epidemiology research. Its dual purpose is to promote interaction among fellows at all levels and to provide a forum for group discussion and mentorship. Discussion formats vary annually according to the preference of the fellow-coordinators, and often include work in-progress presentations, focused methods lectures by invited faculty, panel discussions, and career development clinics.
A recent innovation in mentorship is provided by T32-training grant directors at the UNC-CH Gilling School of Global Public Health. Each month, a seminar is offered on a topic of broad interest suggested by T32 program directors. The first topic was “Resiliency in Science”, which was presented by Dr. Avery. By drawing from expertise across Departments, this seminar will introduce fellows to professional development topics that are broadly relevant.
GenHLB fellows have numerous opportunities to broaden their research networks. The majority of GenHLB mentors have research portfolios that feature collaborative, international research. In addition to offering opportunities to present work in progress, such projects allow fellows to interact with a broad community of scientists. Dedicated funds that support attendance at one scientific meeting annually /year also enable fellows to present their work to international audiences and develop their research network.
Predoctoral fellows are required to pursue a doctoral degree in epidemiology, specializing in HLB genetic epidemiology. To learn more about the application process, click here.
Courses