PREDOCTORAL AND POSTDOCTORAL TRAINING PROGRAM IN DRUG DISCOVERY FOR AGE-RELATED DISORDERS

The NIH-funded T32 training program in "Drug Discovery for Age-Related Disorders" was awarded by the National Institute on Aging over ten years ago for academic-based drug discovery research training focused on age-related diseases. The training program is devoted to providing predoctoral and postdoctoral scholars with rigorous interdisciplinary training in drug discovery and exposure to multidisciplinary drug development, with a particular focus on age-related diseases.

A pioneering aspect of the program is its emphasis on research training at the interface of structural biology, chemistry, and life sciences, with a strong basic science/clinical interaction. The program provides trainees with an understanding of the fundamental concepts and processes of drug discovery, an appreciation of the multidisciplinary and collaborative nature of contemporary discovery research, and an awareness of the longer term drug development process. Trainees develop their skills as independent scientists with an understanding of the process of drug discovery, and a realistic perspective for how to translate scientific discoveries into clinical applications for age-related disorders.

The training program includes faculty preceptors with an established record of cooperation, collaboration, and commitment to mentoring trainees. In addition to a primary preceptor, trainees select a secondary preceptor in a different discipline to provide for an enhanced training experience. The program has a structured curriculum that includes a quarter-long Advanced Topics in Drug Discovery course, training in Ethics, a visiting lecture series, and annual symposium. Trainees are given opportunities for interaction with individuals from biotech and pharmaceutical companies through program sponsored lectures and workshops, collaborations, participation in the annual symposium and appropriate national scientific meetings. There are also opportunities for international experiences through exchange visits and formalized institutional liaisons.

Applications for training grant support are evaluated by the CMIDD educational committee. Selection is based on a trainee-written research plan relevant to the program objectives, letters of support from the primary and secondary mentors, and potential for development into an independent scholar with scientific career success.

Training Program Director: Linda J. Van Eldik, PhD
Associate Director: D. Martin Watterson, PhD

For more information, contact Dr. Linda Van Eldik, vaneldik@northwestern.edu