GSBS Report

David W. Niesel, PhD

Interim VP & Dean, GSBS

Operating Principle

Interim = Inactive

National Context for

Graduate Education

Federal R&D and State Budgets are challenging

Biomedical research is becoming more translational / interdisciplinary

“Convergence” is becoming a reality

Graduates are competing for a diverse range of jobs

NIH is examining the biomedical workforce. ACD – 2 reports tothe NIH Director this past year

Biomedical Research & Training is Changing

1

2

3

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2

3

Training is Dependent on Research Funding

NIH Director Biomedical Workforce Working Group

Coursework – defining requirements, gateway courses, new teaching modalities

Accountability Entity Frequency

Milestone Agreement UT System (6/13) AnnualCompact: Mentor and Student GSBS-AAMC (Curr) CandidacyIndividual Development Plan NIH (10-14) Qualifying Exam

GSBS: Shorten Time to Degree

To help graduate students and postdocs achieve their career goals, NIH expects grantees to:

Develop and implement institutional policies requiring Individual Development Plans (IDPs) for every graduate student and postdoc supported by any NIH grant.

Starting October 1, 2014, report IDP use in progress reports, no matter the type of NIH grant that's used for support.

NIH encourages institutions with IDP policies already in place and using the Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR) to start reporting IDPs after October 18, 2013.

NIH will Require Development Plans

Coursework – what is required, gateway courses, new teaching modalities

Accountability Entity FrequencyMilestone Agreement UT System (6/13) AnnualCompact: Mentor and Student GSBS / AAMC (Curr) CandidacyIndividual Development Plan NIH (10-14) Qualifying Exam

Financial Support

GSBS Support & BridgingFellowship IncentivesFunding Bootcamps (F30, F31 all NIH ICs starting April 2014)SciValMinority Supplements (templates)

GSBS: Shorten Time to Degree

Postdoctoral Fellows

Increase Postdoctoral Fellow Stipends – March 2014 – 0 level - $42,000

Individual Development Plan - required for all NIH supported postdoctoral fellows

Tracking of all trainees supported on any NIH funding – Coming

Shorten Eligibly Period and increase support for K99/R00 awards (Feb, 2014)

Texas Workforce Management – starting 10-2013

GSBS Postdoc Certificate Program

The curriculum provides unique courses within the 7 different certificates: •Advanced Biomedical Research Strategies•Advanced Academic Management Skills•Effective Teaching & Mentoring•Translational Research Team Management•Bioinformatics & Systems Biology•Patient Centered Outcomes Research •Translational Burns Research

Building DiversityBridges to the Doctorate

* TAMUK, TAMUCC, UTB, UTPA

Post-baccalaureate Research and Education Program (PREP) [6/13 to 5/17]

BUILD – NIH Directors Grant This grant provides resources for underrepresented minority and disadvantaged student development and provides stipends for students in the SURP. The BUILD initiative aims to increase diversity by supporting collaborative programs that enhance undergraduate education, training, and mentorship, as well as infrastructure support and faculty development to facilitate those approaches

1. TAMUCC [planning phase - 9/13 to 5/14]

2. UTB [planning phase - 9/13 to 5/14]

BBSC Admissions 2011-2013

Academic Year Male Female URM Total Matriculated

2011-12 17 8 8 (32%) 25

2012-13 9 11 2 (10%) 20

2013-14 5 15 6 (30%) 20

GSBS Diversity

Ave = 24%

Interdisciplinary Educational Programs

• BBSC – umbrella first year curriculum for graduate students

• HPTM, Clinical Science

• Advanced Business Management Program

• Committee for Career Development

The CCD organizes a wide variety of seminars and workshops targeted at improving life skills as well as specific needs for career advancement, such as CV and resume writing, interviewing and negotiating skills, portfolio building, and networking skills

Recruiting the Best and Brightest

• New initiatives include involving alumni and undergraduate faculty advisors to help recruit students for our graduate training programs.

• Visits to student organizations at regional universities.

• The focus is to increase the quality and breadth of the TG –eligible applicant pool.

• Social Media

Department

Total Project Costs

Current Yr Direct

Cost Project TitlePrincipal

Investigator Sponsor

No. Training Positions

SupportedProject

Start DateProject

End DateT32 Training Grants Pathology $2,801,95

9$356,190 Molecular Mechanisms for

Environmental InjuryAmeredes, Bill T. NIEHS Predocs: 6

Postdocs: 31-Jul-90 30-Jun-17

Pathology $996,850 $160,128 Emerging and Tropical Infectious Diseases

Barrett, Alan D. T. NIAID Predocs: 4 1-Sep-97 31-Aug-15

Pharmacology $527,472 $244,911 Neural and Pharmacological Mechanisms of Abused Drugs

Cunningham, Kathryn A.

NIDA Predocs: 3 Postdocs: 3

1-Sept-94 30-Jun-17

Internal Medicine

$1,780,356

$197,659 Health of Older Minorities Goodwin, James S. NIA Predocs: 3 Postdocs: 2

1-Aug-99 30-Apr-16

Surgery $1,178,180

$188,364 Surgical Research Training in Gastrointestinal Disease

Hellmich, Mark R. NIDDK Postdocs: 3 15-Sep-92 30-Jun-18

Surgery $1,384,370

$185,772 Postdoctoral Training in Trauma and Burns

Herndon, David N. NIGMS Predocs: 3 Postdocs: 3

1-Jul-90 30-Jun-16

Pathology $ 865,238 $116,128 Biodefense Training Program Weaver, Scott C NIAID Predocs: 4 1-Jul-04 31-Aug-14

Pathology $2,660,570

$398,266 Training In Emerging Infectious Diseases and Biodefense

White, A. Clinton NIAID Postdocs: 6 1-Aug-98 30-Jun-14

UTMB Institutional Training Grants

Needed: more training support – T32, F30, F31, K awards Challenges:

• Maintaining funding levels & critical mass of students• High quality TG eligible pool• Make data collection easier• Recognized effort for TG directors• Incentives for students

Presidential Scholars

• Aims to recruit outstanding TG eligible graduate students to all of our graduate programs

• Stipend supplement ($5000) of up to 5 years

• Relocation costs up to $3000

• Academic Enhancement Program

Ideas/Suggestions always Welcomed

• dniesel@utmb.edu• 772-2326 / 772-8143• GSBS Office 4.150 Levin Hall• M&I Office – 4.104 MRB

The Third Revolution: The Convergence of the Life Sciences, ; Physical Sciences and Engineering, Phillip Sharp et al. MIT, January 2011)