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| Translational Research Training in Sleep Medicine (T32) |
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 Objective |
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The objective of this NHILB-funded Program is to train clinical and basic researchers in a translational approach to Sleep Medicine.
The Training Program’s primary focus is on post-doctoral training, with a secondary focus on mentored medical student research. |
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| Program Faculty |
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Daniel J. Buysse, M.D.
Program Director
Anne B. Newman, M.D., M.P.H.
Program Co-Director
Christopher P. O’Donnell, Ph.D.
Program Co-Director
Patrick J. Strollo, Jr., M.D.
Program C-Director
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| Post-doctoral Program Description |
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Our program provides salary support for 2-3 years of post-doctoral research and training, as well as modest funds to support research and educational opportunities. During the training period, fellows will have access to a large multidisciplinary faculty representing the breadth of contemporary sleep medicine research.
The goal of this training program is to develop the next generation of sleep medicine researchers using a multidisciplinary, translational approach. Emphasis is placed on the acquisition of sleep research skills, development of research questions and protocols, publication of peer-reviewed papers, and submission of a career development grant application to the National Institutes of Health. By the conclusion of the fellowship, trainees will have the skills necessary to begin their faculty career in academic sleep medicine.
The core of the training program is mentored research conducted in the laboratories of the sleep medicine faculty. Each fellow will have one primary and one secondary faculty mentor to provide a broader perspective on his/her research. Rapid immersion to both animal and human sleep research will be provided to all trainees during an initial 4-week “basic training.” These activities will be supplemented by individually-selected courses in the Schools of Health Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh; regularly-scheduled seminars and lectures in sleep medicine; and participation in a research training “survival skills” course.
Finding a Mentor
The training program includes 28 participating faculty representing three schools of the Health Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh, and six departments and divisions within the School of Medicine. Listings of research mentors are available on this website under Mentors. The faculty conduct a wide range of basic, clinical, and population-based research in sleep medicine. Active areas of investigation include:
• Functional imaging of human sleep
• Neurobiology, clinical assessment, and treatment of insomnia
• Sleep, sleep apnea, and cardiovascular risk
• Interaction of sleep and circadian rhythms
• Endocrine and metabolic aspects of sleep and sleep apnea
• Genetics of human circadian rhythms
• Population-based studies of sleep and sleep apnea
• Sleep, stress responses, and post-traumatic stress
• Animal models of sleep apnea and intermittent hypoxia
• Affect, cognition, and sleep deprivation
Mentored Research Projects
The trainee works within the research program of the mentor, where they are expected to have access to study subjects or laboratory samples, measurement tools and instrumentation, staff and laboratory space as needed. All have a workspace within the mentor’s program area. While some trainees may be using secondary or existing data to address their own research question, most are expected to participate in some aspects of ongoing research in order to learn more about the process of conducting research. Mentors meet with trainees on a regular basis, most often weekly.
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| Documents |
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T32 Application and Description
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| Medical Student Summer Research |
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The purpose of the University of Pittsburgh Translational Research Training in Sleep Medicine Medical Student Summer Research Program is to engage medical students from diverse backgrounds in personally rewarding experiences in sleep research and to promote careers in sleep research through close relationships with successful role models and enthusiastic peers.
The summer program is an 8-12 week intensive experience that includes an individualized research experience under a sponsoring mentor, a structured didactic experience that is directly linked to student research projects, and opportunities to interact with potential role models and peers. The long term goal of the program is to increase the number of established investigators who pursue research in high priority areas related to sleep.
How to Apply
The Translational Research Training in Sleep Medicine Medical Student Summer Research Program provides a stipend to students wishing to spend twelve weeks during the summer obtaining experience and training in basic, clinical, and population-based research. In order to complete an application, you must meet with your prospective mentor to define the project aims and methods, and to clarify your specific role in the study.
To apply for the program you will need your mentor's preferred email address. In addition you will be asked to upload a student-authored research proposal. The application must be reviewed with your mentor prior to submission.
The project proposal, which constitutes the application, must contain the following required sections with the indicated headings:
1. Title: This includes the project title, student name, and name and affiliation of the mentor.
2. Purpose: A statement of the question being investigated.
3. Background: A brief summary of pertinent background information including selected literature citations.
4. Methodology: A description of the methods to be employed, materials to be utilized, and plan for data analysis.
5. Significance: A brief statement as to the expected significance of the study.
6. Role of student: Clearly state the student's roles and responsibilities in the project. If a student is to be incorporated into a large project already in progress, state how the student's role may overlap with, and be differentiated from, that of others on the project. While students are encouraged to continue the summer project as a long-term Scholarly Project, for this application focus on what will be accomplished over the upcoming summer.
7. Ethical Approval: If working with human or animal subjects, IRB or IACUC evaluation of the project is likely required. It is not necessary to have agency approval at the time the SRP proposal is submitted, but you must specify your intentions and a timeline for seeking agency approval.
The proposal is limited to 2, single-spaced pages, including references but may be shorter. Use 12 point font and 1" margins on all sides.
Proposals that do not conform to the above instructions may not be considered for funding.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Program Director, Daniel J. Buysse, M.D., at (412) 246-6451 or via Email.
Project proposals will be evaluated by the Program Directors. Awards will be made competitively and acceptance notices will be emailed by the end of March. Awardees will be expected to prepare a poster of their work for the Student Research Presentation Symposium in October 2008. Further information will follow upon acceptance.
Finding a Mentor
The training program includes 28 participating faculty representing three schools of the Health Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh, and six departments and divisions within the School of Medicine. Listings of research mentors are available on this website under Mentors. The faculty conduct a wide range of basic, clinical, and population-based research in sleep medicine. Active areas of investigation include:
• Functional imaging of human sleep
• Neurobiology, clinical assessment, and treatment of insomnia
• Sleep, sleep apnea, and cardiovascular risk
• Interaction of sleep and circadian rhythms
• Endocrine and metabolic aspects of sleep and sleep apnea
• Genetics of human circadian rhythms
• Population-based studies of sleep and sleep apnea
• Sleep, stress responses, and post-traumatic stress
• Animal models of sleep apnea and intermittent hypoxia
• Affect, cognition, and sleep deprivation
Living in Pittsburgh
Living Here
http://www.pitt.edu/pittsburgh/index.html
Summer Housing Options:
Affordable Summer Sublets
http://www.ocl.pitt.edu/RoomSublets/index.html#Sublet
Roommate Matching Service
http://www.ocl.pitt.edu/RoomSublets/index.html#Roommate
Short-term Rental Units
Please e-mail the Administrative Specialist (listed below) for more information on this option.
Other Resources:
University of Pittsburgh Housing Resource Center
(Information and resources for off-campus options, sublets and roommate match-ups)
http://www.pitt.edu/~property
(412) 624-6998
hrc@bc.pitt.edu
University of Pittsburgh Panther Central
(Information and resources for on-campus housing options)
http://www.pc.pitt.edu/housing/
(412) 648-1100
pc@bc.pitt.edu
University of Pittsburgh Library System
(unlimited resources in over a dozen libraries on campus and multiple other libraries at four branch campuses)
http://www.pitt.edu/libraries.html
Public Transportation
(time and map schedules for transportation in the greater Pittsburgh area)
http://www.portauthority.org
(412) 442-2000 |
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| Current Trainees |
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Brant Hasler, Ph.D. (September 2009)
Postdoctoral Scholar
Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic
3811 O'Hara Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Email: haslerbp@upmc.edu
Faith Luyster, Ph.D. (September 2009)
Postdoctoral Scholar
Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic
3811 O'Hara Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Email: luysterfs@upmc.edu
Benjamin Mullin, Ph.D. (September 2009)
Postdoctoral Scholar
Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic
3811 O'Hara Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Email: mullinbcs@upmc.edu
Thomas B. Rice, M.D.
Postdoctoral Scholar
Montefiore University Hospital
3459 Fifth Avenue, NW 628
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Phone: (412) 692-2118
Email: ricetb@upmc.edu
Fax: (412) 692-2888
2009 Summer medical student trainees
Daniel Cohen
MS-I
Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic
3811 O'Hara Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Email: cohen.daniel@medstudent.pitt.edu
Benjamin Israel
MS-I
Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic
3811 O'Hara Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Email: israel.benjamin@medstudent.pitt.edu |
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| Contact Information |
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| For more information please contact Melissa Shablesky-Cade, Sleep Medicine Administrative Specialist, at (412) 246-6451 or via e-mail at shableskym@upmc.edu. |
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