4-Year Combined Program and 2-Year Research Only Program

Purpose

To provide a training option for individuals desiring either clinical cardiovascular research training or dual training in clinical cardiology and clinical cardiovascular research.

Introduction

The rapid development of new and more precise techniques to examine features of human biology has produced tremendous opportunities for progress in cardiovascular research. Unfortunately, at the same time, there has been a continuing decline in the number of physicians choosing a career in biomedical research. As a result, the need for well equipped clinical investigators is greater than ever. Among research disciplines, advances in genetics, genomics and proteomics have produced particularly powerful new tools to use in clinical and epidemiologic investigation of the etiology, treatment, and prevention of cardiovascular disease.  

These two research programs were established in 2004 under the direction of Dr. David M. Herrington. Common features of both programs include completion of a Master’s Degree in Clinical and Population Translational Science (CPTS). The Master’s curriculum includes formal training in epidemiology, biostatistics, molecular biology and genetics, a hands-on basic laboratory practicum and joint mentorship with both clinical and basic science faculty, and participation in external NHLBI-sponsored short courses in cardiovascular epidemiology, and the genetics of complex heart, lung, and blood disorders. In addition to the Master’s degree training, the 4-Year Combined Clinical/Research fellows also complete a general clinical cardiology fellowship.

Our goal is to attract and train a cohort of outstanding physician scientists who, in addition to being well-rounded cardiologists skilled in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases, will be fluent in the latest developments in clinical research including molecular epidemiology and able to apply this knowledge to the conduct of new cardiovascular epidemiology and clinical cardiovascular research.

Tuition and stipend funding are available through an NIH training program for post-doctoral trainees who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents.