Enhancing Skills: Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA Training Grant Program

2. What is a Training Grant anyway? Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Institutional Research Training Grants (T32) • Primary means of supporting predoctoral and postdoctoral research training to help ensure that a diverse and highly trained workforce is available to assume leadership roles related to the Nation’s biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research agenda (since 1974).  • The objective of the T32 program is to prepare qualified individuals for careers that have a significant impact on the health-related research needs of the Nation.

3. 2014 MBTG Retreat Schedule 1) Introductions 2) IDP training for trainees/Orientation for new trainers 3) Take pictures of trainees by class and of new trainers (~11:30) 4) Lunch in the Lakeside Room (~11:45) 5) Luncheon talks by a senior trainees (~12:15) 6) Poster viewing in Lakeside room 7) Wrap up by 2:00 p.m.

4. Introductions Christina Hull – Director of the MBTG Kim Voss – Administrator for the MBTG Alissa Ewer – Assistant Dean Office of Professional Development and Communications Graduate School

5. Kim Voss 413 Bock Labs

6. NIH T32 GM07215-37 (38!) • “To develop and enhance the training of the most highly promising graduate students who intend to become leaders in the fields of cellular, biochemical and molecular sciences.” • About 600 trainees since inception in 1975 • 34 funded positions • Current trainees by Ph.D. program: • IPiB 30 • CMB 11 • MDTP 27 • CMPath 3 • 71

7. How MBTG enhances your major goals What are your goals? • Establish a knowledge base • Acquire a scientific “toolbox” • Strengthen communication skills • Become part of the scientific community • Build a reputation/record of accomplishment • Identify a career

8. How MBTG enhances your major goals Establish a knowledge base Goal: Master the fundamentals of biochemistry and cell/molecular biology MBTG input: • Course breadth requirements • Student seminar series • Invited speakers

9. How MBTG enhances your major goals Acquire a scientific “toolbox” Goal: Develop technical/experimental skills in your areas of interest MBTG input: • “At the Bench” book • Extended research rotations • Supplies funds • Travel funds

10. How MBTG enhances your major goals Strengthen communication skills Goal: Learn to convey ideas in a clear, captivating, and persuasive manner MBTG input: • “The Presentations Kit” • Student seminar series • Retreat presentations • Steering Committee membership

11. How MBTG enhances your major goals Become part of the scientific community Goal: Make outside contacts and establish yourself in the profession MBTG input: •Travel funds • Society membership funds • Graduate recruiting at national meetings

12. How MBTG enhances your major goals Build a reputation/record of accomplishment Goal: Making a positive impression on the people who will be your advocates MBTG input: • Ethics training • Advising • Meetings with visiting speakers

13. How MBTG enhances your major goals Identify a career Goal: Try to figure out where you want to be in 10-20 years, and how to get there MBTG input: • Seminars from past trainees/authorities from diverse fields • Individual Development Plan (IDP) Advising • “Life Sciences Career Day”

14. PhD timeline for a typical MBTG trainee

15. MBTG website Steering Committee Training Program Current Trainers Current Trainees Applying to be a Trainer 914 Seminar Schedule Fall 2002 Links Why UW Madison www.mbtg.wisc.edu

16. Overlap in trainer pools of MBTG and PhD programs

17. Questions for prospective thesis advisors • 1) What thesis projects would be available to me? • 2) Would these projects expose me to a variety of different experimental approaches? • 3) In general, how available will you be (e.g., on a daily or a weekly basis) to answer questions I might have? • 4) What amount of guidance do you provide to a student during preparation of the thesis proposal, literature seminars, thesis, etc.? • 5) What are your expectations for the amount of time I should spend each day/week in the lab? • 6) What regularly scheduled activities does your lab participate in that provide an opportunity to get outside input on my research project and to hear about the work of other students and postdocs?

18. Questions for prospective thesis advisors • 7) Do you encourage your students to attend seminars and journal clubs? • 8) Do students in your lab have the opportunity to attend scientific meetings where they can interact with researchers from other institutions? • 9) Do you include your graduate students in professional activities, such as reviewing manuscripts and meeting with visiting speakers? • 10) Do you encourage your students that are interested in teaching to obtain practical experience by being a T.A.? • 11) How long do you think it should take me to get my Ph.D.? • 12) What are your former graduate students doing now? • 13) What goals do you have for your graduate students?

19. MBTG course breadth requirement Trainees must take a total of four courses: two from the Molecular and Cell Biology category, one from the Macromolecular Biochemistry category, and one additional course from either of these. “Pre-approved” courses are listed below, but other courses can be substituted, with approval (Christina Hull). Molecular and Cell biology Cellular and Molecular Biology/Pathology (Pathology 750) Cytoskeletal Dynamics (Anatomy 700) Carcinogenesis and Tumor Cell Biology (Oncology 703) Plant Cell Biology (Botany 860) Eukaryotic Molecular Biology (Biochemistry/Pharmacology 620) Topics in Eukaryotic Regulation (Biochemistry/Genetics 703) Prokaryotic Molecular Biology (Microbiology/Biochemistry/Genetics 612) General Virology – Multiplication of Viruses (Oncology 640) Advanced Microbial Genetics (Microbiology/Genetics 607) Regulation of Microbial Gene Expression (Microbiology/Biochemistry 726) Immunology of Infectious Disease (Microbiology 790) Macromolecular Biochemistry Biophysical Chemistry (Chemistry/Biochemistry 665) Protein and Enzyme Structure and Function (Biochemistry 601) Chemical Biology (Biochemistry 704) Mechanisms of Enzyme Action (Biochemistry 624) Coenzymes and Cofactors in Enzymology (Biochemistry 625) Microbiology at Atomic Resolution (Microbiology/Biomolecular Chemistry 668) Physiology of Microorganisms (Microbiology 625)

20. Responsible conduct of research MBTG course breadth requirements Trainees must take one course on the Responsible Conduction of Research: Pre-approved courses Appropriate Conduct in Science (Oncology 675) Professional Responsibility (Microbiology/Chemistry 901) Professional Development and Responsibility (Biochemistry/Biomolecular Chemistry 701) (701 is restricted to IPiB students) Other courses that can satisfy the requirement (require approval by Christina Hull) Ethical and Regulatory Issues in Clinical Investigation (Medical History 545) Research Ethics (Medical History 999) Research Ethics and Career Development (Surgical Science 812)

21. 2013-2014 MBTG Student Seminar Series Course #914, crosslisted in Bacteriology, Biochemistry, Biomolecular Chemistry, Medical Microbiology & Immunology Meets weekly Fall and Spring semesters, Friday @ 3:30 pm in 2131 Biochemistry Mandatory for 1st - 3rd year grads.; senior trainees encouraged to attend and may volunteer to give extra talks Graded S/U based on attendance (speakers can get letter grade on request) Snacks provided! Peer review of presentations via evaluation form and speakers will meet briefly with the faculty member running the course directly after the talk. Fall semester: 2nd-year trainees give a literature seminar. Spring semester: 3rd-year trainees give a research seminar. (chalk talks!) Occasional guest speakers/past trainees/experts from non-traditional fields.

22. MBTG grants to trainees Travel funds: up to $1000 over 3 year appointment. For meetings, courses, collaborations. Email Kim. Supplies funds: up to $1000 over 3 year appointment. For services or consumables specific to your research. Email Christina. Society memberships: up to $100 each year of 3 year appointment. Email Kim.

23. Annual progress report and MBTG advising Second-year students: 1) Thesis committee composition 2) Grades for UW course work 3) 1/2 page research description 4) Letter from thesis advisor Third-year+ students: 1) Trainee progress report form 2) Thesis committee report form 3) Develop IDP 4) Meet with MBTG advisor DUE TO KIM NOVEMBER 15!