Post-Doctoral Training in Translational Science and Cardiovascular Research

The OHSU School of Medicine Knight Cardiovascular Institute (KCVI) is pleased to announce that its T32 research training program Training in Translational Science and Cardiovascular Research, launched July 1, 2023, with five years of funding from the National Institute of Heart, Lung and Blood (NHLBI).

The program trains postdoctoral M.D. physician-scientists and Ph.D. biomedical scientists in cardiovascular translational research.

The program will accept three fellows each year for two years of training. The first three fellows will begin Jan. 1, 2024.

Sponsored by: A Ruth L. Kirschtein NRSA Training Grant (T-32) Award from the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda MD.

Applications

Applications are due April 30 for July 2024.

To learn more about the application process, please contact Program Directors Dr. Nabil Alkayed (alkayedn@ohsu.edu ) and Dr. Monica Hinds (hindsm@ohsu.edu).

Areas of research focus

The program includes three broad and overlapping scientific areas of cardiovascular research. Training is enhanced by the opportunity to learn and apply state-of-the-art imaging modalities (MRI, PET, CT, angiography, ultrasound, OCT, two-photon microscopy) to small and large animal models of cardiovascular disease, as well as humans.

Didactic education includes courses on the pathophysiology and molecular genetics of cardiovascular disease, translation research methods, research design, and data analysis. Fellows also undergo training in responsible conduct for research, leadership, team science, scientific writing and grantsmanship.

Fellows choose one area of focus:

Cardiovascular regulation

Includes:

  • Physiological regulation
  • Ischemia/reperfusion
  • Hypertension

Cardiovascular inflammation

Includes:

  • Atherosclerosis
  • Diabetes
  • Thrombosis
  • Viral infection with relevance to cardiovascular disease, such as HCMV and COVID-19

Cardiovascular development

Includes

  • Genetics
  • Genomics
  • Fetal Programming

Program faculty

The program includes 33 faculty, 11 in each research area.

Faculty belong to 17 OHSU departments and research centers, and bring diverse expertise and perspectives to training in cardiovascular research.

Areas of expertise include:

  • Atomic structure of receptors and ion channels
  • HDL proteomics
  • Platelet biology
  • Cardiovascular development
  • Viral-endothelial-interactions
  • Non-human primate models of cardiovascular disease
  • Research on obesity, diabetes and atherosclerosis in humans and animal models

Program Director: Nabil Alkayed, M.D., Ph.D., Director of Research, OHSU Knight Cardiovascular Institute 
Program Director: Monica Hinds, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering, OHSU School of Medicine

Program structure

Fellows select one of three training hubs that correspond to the research areas.

Each hub features senior scientists and leaders with extensive research and mentorship experience, mid-level scientists with established track records, and early-stage investigators who are starting their independent scientific careers.

In addition to interactions through KCVI-wide activities, fellows and mentors in each hub closely interact through monthly journal clubs, research conferences and seminars that are specific to their area of focus.

The training program consists of a core didactic curriculum, elective courses, research project, training in research ethics, professionalism and career counseling.

Application process

Applications must include the following components:

  • Curriculum vitae
  • Statement of research experience, proposed science, and career goals (2 page max)
  • Letter of reference from your proposed mentor plus two additional letters of recommendation
  • Medical school or graduate school transcript (external candidates only)
  • Selected applicants will be interviewed by the Program Recruitment and Selection Committee

Submit application materials in a single pdf document to Dr. Nabil Alkayed, Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine, alkayedn@ohsu.edu.

Trainee/Applicant Requirements

  • Trainees must have a graduate degree (MD, DO, PhD, DVM, PharmD, DDS, etc.).
  • Trainees must either be a United States citizen, a non-citizen national of the United States, or have Permanent Resident status.

OHSU is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.