The UW Cardiovascular Research Center Training Program in Translational Cardiovascular Science (TPTCS) mission is to attract individuals to careers that include cardiovascular research and to train them in research that is motivated and informed by clinical practice. In order to achieve this, the program offers predoctoral and postdoctoral (both MD and PhD) trainees an opportunity to focus research training on translational cardiovascular science, and share in a variety of activities with colleagues which foster an awareness of cardiovascular research training opportunities and challenges.
The TPTCS is an advanced, two-year training program that draws from a vast cross-campus pool of potential trainees in 13 graduate programs and 13 departments. Training faculty bring diverse and interdisciplinary approaches to the study of cardiovascular disease.
With a focus on translational research and medicine, we emphasize the development and application of research from the level of the cell and molecule, through intact tissue models and animal models, to the patient. We adhere to the principle that understanding mechanisms of disease at the molecular and cellular levels leads to improved therapy for patients. Bringing cutting-edge disciplinary and technical advances implemented in the laboratories across the UW-Madison campus, we seek to train the next generation to fight cardiovascular disease – the major cause of death in the United States.
The TPTCS program offers basic research training for clinically oriented individuals while at the same time providing PhD trainees with the background and experiences to undertake clinically motivated research.
Purpose of Program
The purpose of this program is to bring together all trainees, postdoctoral and predoctoral, basic and clinical, as well as trainers in the various disciplines. Most of the training for the program is not unique for one group or the other, but rather integrates trainees and trainers from different levels and different disciplines. These functions foster interaction among the trainees (predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees, both basic and clinical) and make this a cohesive program rather than simply a funding mechanism for individual predoctoral and postdoctoral programs. Three of these functions are either solely or mainly for trainees in this program.
- Annual Meeting: During this dinner meeting, current trainees and trainers, many past trainees, and trainers without current trainees attend. The main purpose of this meeting is to have a social occasion early in the year to bond this diverse group of trainers and trainees. The business meeting is brief, with an overview of requirements and discussion of what translational research means, along with introductions for the benefit of those new to the program.
- Semester Meetings: These occur in the fall and spring semester, usually in December and May. All trainees make at least one 20-minute presentation on their research at one of these meetings during their training period. All current trainees and trainers, as well as many past trainees and trainers presently without trainers, attend the meeting.
- Colloquia: These meetings review cutting edge research in each of the topic areas: Heart Failure/Cardioregenerative Medicine, Ion Channels/Arrhythmias and Vascular Biology. A meeting in each area meets once a month on Thursday at 11 AM, so overall a colloquium occurs on a nearly weekly basis during the academic year. The presenter gives a background introduction to the area, and then presents one or two recent journal articles or their own publishable research. Heart Failure/Cardioregenerative Medicine is led by Dr. Willem DeLange (Pediatrics), Ion Channels/Arrhythmias is led by Dr. Alexey Glukhov (Cardiovascular Medicine), and Vascular Biology is led by Dr. Bo Liu (Vascular Surgery). All current trainees, and all trainers with current trainees are required to make a presentation; the remaining presentations are made by former trainees, trainers without current trainees, or other invited guests. These colloquia are open to the general academic community. To view program events click here.
Integration of training also occurs through more general CVRC functions. The interactions among trainees at every level and with faculty trainers within the CVRC makes this training program unique from training in departmental programs and under the sponsorship of other training grants. The CVRC undertakes regular activities that foster these interactions, which in turn contribute directly to the translational quality of our training program. CVRC functions that are open to a wider audience include the scientific poster fair, monthly research conference, and special research conferences. These are also key parts of the program and are briefly summarized.
The UW Cardiovascular Research Center sponsors the Annual Cardiovascular Research Summit. This event brings world-class cardiovascular researchers to Madison to address emerging topics and technologies in translational cardiovascular science. At the end of the Summit, the Annual Scientific Poster Fair takes place for ongoing research projects in the labs of Center members. This has proven to be a highly successful event, with research representing the broad disciplines of the many departments and schools of Center members. Trainees are strongly encouraged to present their research at this forum and many have presented.
The CVRC also hosts a monthly Frontiers in Cardiovascular Science Seminar Series presented by prominent national faculty and by UW-Madison experts. The series attempts to develop a laboratory-meeting setting as its approach to presentations and encourages discussion and interactions among the attendees. The average number of participants is approximately 40-50. Trainees are required to attend; many trainers are regular attendees and presenters as well.
To apply to the training program click here.
Leadership Team
L. Lee Eckhardt, MD
Position title: Co-Director of T32 Program, Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine
Email:
lle
Alexey Glukhov, PhD
Position title: Associate Director T-32 Program, Associate Professor, Cardiovascular Medicine
Email:
aglukhov
Gail Robertson, PhD
Position title: Co-Director of T32 Program, Professor of Neuroscience
Email:
garobert
Eric Schafer
Position title: Training Program Project Coordinator, Department of Medicine
Email:
eeschafer