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The Department’s wide variety of federally sponsored postdoctoral research training programs (T32s) offer extensive support to help trainees optimize their ability to launch and sustain a research career in psychiatry. These trainees immerse themselves in a particular area of research for a two- to three-year period of protected time prior to obtaining a K Award and entering residency. Areas of research training covering the lifespan from child and adolescent through geriatric psychiatry are: Developmental Alcohol Research Training (DART), Cardiovascular Behavioral Medicine, Clinical Research Training for Psychologists, Clinical Research Training in Geriatric Psychiatry, Innovative Methods in Pathogenesis and Child Treatment (IMPACT), Translational Research Training in Sleep Medicine, and Training for Transformative Discovery. These programs have supported the career development of some of the most gifted and innovative new scientists in the field of psychiatry. Programs provide salary support for the postdoctoral research and training, as well as modest funds to support research and educational opportunities.

Fellows in the program closely work with the program directors, who are seasoned investigators, to develop and conduct research and “learn the ropes” to prevent them from making errors in first K or R01 award submissions. They have access to a large multidisciplinary faculty representing the breadth of contemporary research and are matched with dedicated mentors involved in cutting-edge projects. Faculty also can provide rich networking opportunities for fellows by introducing them to other leading researchers. The programs promote the development of knowledge and skills in transdisciplinary collaboration and thus translational science. They provide “critical mass” for practical tasks such as peer review of research proposals, stimulate the development of peer-support networks, and support training in the responsible conduct of research.
 

Career & Research Development Seminar (CARDS)

Each of the T32 programs requires completion of the Career & Research Development seminar (CARDS) series. The weekly seminars, co-directed by Brooke S.G. Molina, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry, and Robert Sweet, MD, UPMC Endowed Professor in Psychiatric Neuroscience, focuses on enhancing grantsmanship, professional competence, and skills for career development. Trainees are involved in activities that lead to a first faculty appointment and NIH grant application. Along with Drs. Molina and Sweet, the CARDS are co-taught by accomplished early-stage and mid-career investigators to ensure that the continuum of career development trajectories is covered. The seminar includes both didactic and activity-based learning experiences, and instructors tailor the curriculum to the needs and interests of the current participants. The program includes smaller workgroup sessions that provide extensive review of evolving grant applications. CARDS trainees are encouraged to participate in the Department’s Annual Research Day.
 

T32 Resources

Proposal Development Review: Often referred to as the “K Review Program,” this tiered review process typically begins within the CARDS small workgroup sessions. Trainees initially develop career development award applications as concept proposals for review by Department Chairman David Lewis, MD. Once approved, a special review committee is assembled and evaluates the grant application in several rounds of reviews, helping the post-doctoral trainee to refine and finalize it for submission.

Grant management: Trainees and junior investigators must not only meet the scientific criteria but also the administrative responsibilities to become an independent investigator. The Department’s Office of Grants and Contracts conducts training and support sessions for new funding applicants to prepare them for the fiscal aspects of grant application preparation, activation, and management.
 

T32 Program Areas of Focus

Developmental Alcohol Research Training (DART)

The Developmental Alcohol Research Training (DART) program trains postdoctoral fellows for collaborative, multidisciplinary research in developmental studies of alcohol use and abuse. Program co-directors are Gale A. Richardson, PhD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, and Brooke S.G. Molina, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry. This program is unique in its approach to training in alcohol use and addiction research from a developmental perspective, focusing on gestation to adulthood. Fellowships are for an initial one-year period with appointment for a second year based on progress. The program is funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.

Cardiovascular Behavioral Medicine

The Cardiovascular Behavioral Medicine program provides training in behavior and behavior change, research methods and statistics, and cardiovascular physiology, pathophysiology, and CVD outcomes. Directed by Karen Matthews, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry, and co-directed by Matthew F. Muldoon, MD, MPH, Professor of Medicine, the program is designed for physicians, including third- and fourth-year residents, and PhDs in psychology and related behavioral disciplines. It bridges disciplines and silos, bringing to a single discussion the influences of genetics, pathophysiology, psychology, and the social environment. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute funds the program. 

Clinical Research Training for Psychologists

The Clinical Research Training for Psychologists program is intended for clinical psychologists who have completed a predoctoral internship in clinical psychology and desire advanced training in the conceptual and pragmatic research skills required to conduct clinical research in an interdisciplinary setting. Tina R. Goldstein, PhD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, directs the three-year program, which is funded by the NIMH. “The training emphasizes proficiency in critical thinking, research methodology, analysis and interpretation of data, and scientific writing, putting clinical psychologists in a strong position to make substantive contributions to clinical research endeavors,” said Michele D. Levine, PhD, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, who co-directs the program.

Clinical Research Training in Geriatric Psychiatry

The goal of the Clinical Research Training in Geriatric Psychiatry program is to develop outstanding researchers in late-life mood disorders who can communicate and function effectively at the interface of clinical and basic neuroscience and/or geriatric mental health services research. Applicants are post-residency psychiatrists and PhDs in the neuro and behavioral sciences and medical students with an interest in geriatric mental health. Fellows have access to laboratories at the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center. The program is directed by Howard J. Aizenstein, MD, PhD, Charles F. Reynolds III and Ellen G. Detlefsen Endowed Chair in Geriatric Psychiatry. 

Innovative Methods in Pathogenesis and Child Treatment (IMPACT)

The Innovative Methods in Pathogenesis and Child Treatment (IMPACT) program provides psychiatrists and PhDs with a strong foundation in the research techniques and methodologies of clinical investigation in child psychiatry and offers rigorous training in biological and social sciences. The program is directed by David Brent, MD, Endowed Chair in Suicide Studies and Professor of Psychiatry. The postdoctoral program is directed by Neal Ryan, MD, Joaquim Puig-Antich Professor in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and David Kolko, PhD, Professor of Psychiatry. An eight-week, pre-doctoral summer program for medical students also is offered.

Translational Research Training in Sleep Medicine

The Translational Research Training in Sleep Medicine program trains clinical and basic researchers, who conduct mentored research at the Sleep and Chronobiology Center. Applicants are MDs or PhDs in a discipline related to sleep/circadian medicine, such as psychology, nursing, physiology, and epidemiology. Funded by the NIH National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, the program is directed by Daniel J. Buysse, MD, UPMC Endowed Chair in Sleep Medicine and Professor of Psychiatry.

Training for Transformative Discovery

The core philosophy of the Training for Transformative Discovery program is that translational neuroscience investigation is a skill in its own right. Fellows attend a weekly translational neuroscience research seminar and a biweekly translational models practicum. Designed for MDs or PhDs who are interested in enhancing their skills in conducting translational neuroscience research, with the intent of transitioning to an independent academic research career. Robert A. Sweet, MD, UPMC Endowed Professor in Psychiatric Neuroscience, directs the program.