WORKSHOP SUMMARYNHGRI Training and Career Development Programs

Workshop held 10-11 April 20135635 Fishers Lane

Rockville, MD

Presented byTraining and Career Development Team

Presentation Content

• Purpose of Workshop• Overview of Select NIH Training and Career Development

Programs• Examples of Genomic Science and Genomic Medicine Training

Programs• Future of NHGRI Research Training and Career Development

Activities– Challenges– Recommendations– Overarching Principles– Recurring Themes

Purpose of Workshop

• Review training and career development programs• Make recommendations on how to

align programs with the strategic plan

Definition of F, T, and K Activity Codes

• F30 Individual MD/Ph.D fellowship• F31 Individual regular/diversity Ph.D

fellowship• F32 Individual postdoctoral fellowship• K01/K25 Mentored Career Development

Award• K22/K99 Two-phased Career Transition

Award• T32 Institutional Training Grant

Overview of Selected NIH and Institute Programs

• Trans-NIH Initiatives• National Heart Lung and Blood Institute • National Institute of General Medical

Sciences• National Cancer Institute• National Library of Medicine

Example of a Genomic Science Training Program

(M. Boehnke, U. Michigan)

• Program interfaces mathematics and human genomics/genetics

• Graduates major in one discipline and have sufficient foundation in a complementary discipline

• Students matriculate one semester early• Program has multiple program enhancements • 42/46 past trainees are in research• Additional funding is important for recruiting/retaining URMs.

Example of a Genomic Medicine Training Program

(Jeffery Vance, U. Miami)

• MS in genomic medicine and MD curricula run concurrently

• Curriculum includes didactic courses, online modules, and small group discussions with faculty

• Benefits:– Students are pioneers in genomic medicine– Genomic medicine is recognized as being integral to medicine

• Challenges:– Serious time commitment– Costs

Future of NHGRI Training and Career Development Activities

•Challenges•Recommendations•Overarching Principles•Recurring Themes

Unique Challenges for NHGRI

• Pace of genomic advances• Need to target multiple audiences• Reduction in appropriation dollars• Need to identify NHGRI’s niche within

the strategic plan

Key Issues for Discussions

• What knowledge and skills are needed? • What are the most effective ways and environments to

integrate genomic science with genomic medicine?• How best to leverage training in the clinical areas?• What are the most effective ways to enhance training in the

foundational sciences for basic and clinical trainees and researchers?

• What percentage of the extramural budget should be allotted to training and career development?

Career Development:Recommendations

• Expand the K01 to cross-train clinicians and genomicists in genomic medicine

• Continue to support K01s, K25s and K99/R00s• Support individuals interested in technology

development• Support individual K awards initially

Career Development:Key Elements of Training

• Defined general approach that is applicable across diseases

• Defined curriculum and training plan • Environment rich in genomic research• Access to critical resources• Dual mentoring in complementary

disciplines

Research Training:Recommendations

• Expand training to encompass genomic medicine• Continue training in the foundational sciences• Support individual and institutional training• Allow flexibility in course requirements • Strengthen the foundation in genomic medicine by

supporting training in the data sciences and ELSI• Limit training in genomic medicine to PhDs, MDs

or their equivalents

Genomic Medicine: Key Elements of Training

• There should be two paths for training: (1) genomic medicine researcher and (2) master clinical genomicist

• Didactic training is essential• ELSI training should be required • Training may vary between two to three years• Four trainees were considered a critical mass for

a viable training program

Genomic Medicine: Key Elements of Training (continued)

• Clinicians should: –enter during their fellowship–devote 75% or more time to research–devote up to 25% time to maintain

clinical credentials–use clinical time to apply genomics in

the clinic

Short Courses:Recommendations

• Continue to support courses• Pursue new methods of

disseminating information• Collaborate with professional

societies to conduct courses in genomic medicine

Overarching Principles

• Fund more training and career development activities

• The goals should be: – Expand the base of knowledge in genomic

medicine– Continue to support the foundational sciences– Develop leaders

Overarching Principles (continued)

• Train “broadly and deeply”• Train behavioral and health services

researchers • Develop a professional network of

trainees and K awardees• Support the Diversity Action Plan

Recurring Themes

• Increase diversity• Use a variety of metrics to measure

success• Educate practicing physicians• Collaborate with other NIH units to

leverage NHGRI support

Percent of IC Extramural Dollars for Training and Career Development

NIH Unit

F Awards

T Awards

K Awards

Total

GM 0.9 7.6 1.0 9.5NCI 3.0NLM 20.0 6.0 26.0HG 0.1 2.0 0.3 2.4NIH 0.5 2.4 0.7 3.6

NHGRI’S TRAINING AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT BUDGET FOR FY12

Activity Number of Awards

Total $M % Extramural Budget

Average Cost of Award in $M

K01/K22 3 0.4 0.1 0.15

K22/K99 7 0.6 0.2 0.08

T32 13 7.6 2.0 0.59

F 12 0.6 0.1 0.05

Total 45 9.2 2.4 NA

Does not include training in ELSI CEER’s program; does include ELSI NRSA F and K Awards

ELSI Training and Career Development Initiatives

• This workshop did not address ELSI training and career development.

• The ELSI program is collaborating with its community to devise a plan for future training and career development initiatives.

Comments

• Co-Chairs of the Workshop–Gail Jarvik–Robert Waterston

• Training and Career Development Team–Tina Gatlin–Heather Junkins

• Council Members