Training Program in Imaging Sciences in Translational Cardiovascular Research

转化心血管研究成像科学培训项目

• 批准号: 10382469
• 负责人: Flordeliza S Villanueva
• 金额: $ 52.05万
• 依托单位: UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 财政年份: 2016
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2016-07-01 至 2026-06-30
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10382469
• 关键词: Cardiovascular system; Image; Research; Science; Training Programs

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. The necessity to connect imaging and biomedical science is particularly salient in cardiovascular research, where imaging the heart and vascular system, from whole organ to molecular levels, figures prominently in the translation of discoveries to bedside diagnosis and treatment. As such, 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 inaugural T32 program (2016)– the first in Cardiology at University of Pittsburgh – was motivated by the recognition that there is a 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 new T32 Program 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 research, with an emphasis on translational cardiovascular research. While T32s at other institutions focus on traditional cardiovascular imaging tools (e.g., MRI, Echo), our T32 is unique in integrating biological imaging within the biological and physical sciences. Our program was designed such that post-doctoral 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, with each trainee having one mentor from imaging sciences and another from the biomedical science arena. Our approach is structured around Individualized Development Plans that have quantifiable milestones, e.g., presentations, publications, grants, didactic courses, or completion of Master’s degrees. Now 4.2 years into our first funding cycle, we seek competitive renewal of our program based on its compelling premise and unmet training need; its occupancy of an important niche in the NHLBI portfolio (only 2% of NHLBI T32s are imaging-focused); the 37 excellent, scientifically diverse, well-funded training faculty; and the successful outcomes of our nascent program thus far. In our 2019 Cardiology Fellowship match for 8 positions (>700 applicants), 4 were filled by MDs committed to our T32 program, highlighting our mandate to train future MD scientists. Dr. Villanueva, a cardiologist, imaging specialist, and researcher with extensive mentoring experience, has ably led our young program alongside 3 seasoned co-Directors and Advisory Boards. Our T32 is enhanced by institutional endowments, research Cores of the Heart, Lung, Blood, and Vascular Medicine Institute, a rich infrastructure from the Clinical Sciences Translational Institute, and interactions with other institutional translational T32s.

成像技术的进步带来了科学和医学的离线发现，解决了紧迫的问题。 科学和医学推动成像技术发展创新，强调根本性 成像与生物医学研究之间的共生将成像与生物医学科学联系起来的必要性。 在心血管研究中尤为突出，其中从整个器官对心脏和血管系统进行成像 在分子水平上，在将发现转化为临床诊断和治疗方面发挥着重要作用。 因此，成像科学家必须了解生物医学研究中哪些问题是重要的，而生物医学研究中哪些问题是重要的？ 科学家必须精通能够促进发现的成像技术。 （2016）——匹兹堡大学心脏病学领域的第一个——其动机是认识到心脏病学领域的匮乏 能够熟练地在成像科学和生物医学研究领域之间切换的科学家， 最终损害研究工作的转化相关性，并助长“死亡之谷” 为了弥合这一鸿沟，我们的新 T32 计划使用了一种将基础发现和临床应用分开的方法。 创新的教育模式，培训临床和基础研究人员广泛的前沿、 多模态成像平台，因为他们追求假设驱动的研究，重点是转化 而其他机构的 T32 则专注于传统的心血管成像工具（例如， MRI、Echo），我们的 T32 在将生物成像集成到生物和物理科学方面是独一无二的。 该计划的设计目的是让博士后学员（MD或PhD）获得成像方面的“核心能力” 跨越分子到整个生物体的方法（“成像工具包”），以及跨越多个领域的转化研究方法 基本到人口水平（“转化工具包”）——通过共同指导结构完成，每个人 实习生有一位来自成像科学领域的导师，另一位来自生物医学科学领域的导师 我们的方法。 围绕具有可量化里程碑的个性化发展计划构建，例如演示、 出版物、赠款、教学课程或完成硕士学位现在距我们首次资助已经 4.2 年了。 周期中，我们根据其令人信服的前提和未满足的培训需求寻求有竞争力的更新我们的计划； 它在 NHLBI 产品组合中占有重要地位（37 个 NHLBI T32 中只有 2% 专注于成像）； 优秀、科学多样化、资金充足的培训师资力量；以及我们新生项目的成功成果； 到目前为止，在我们 2019 年心脏病学奖学金的 8 个职位（超过 700 名申请者）中，有 4 个由医学博士填补。 致力于我们的 T32 计划，强调我们培养未来医学博士科学家 Villanueva 博士的使命。 心脏病专家、影像专家和研究员，拥有丰富的指导经验，出色地领导了我们的年轻人 我们的 T32 计划与 3 位经验丰富的联合董事和顾问委员会一起得到了机构的增强。 捐赠、心脏、肺、血液和血管医学研究所的核心研究，丰富的基础设施 来自临床科学转化研究所，以及与其他机构转化 T32 的互动。