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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 31 participating faculty representing three schools of the Health Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh, and six departments and divisions within the School of Medicine. Click here for a list of participating faculty. 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
• Sleep and inflammation/neuroendocrine relationship in perinatal women
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.
Application Deadlines
Deadline for receiving post-doctoral fellowship applications for the 2013-2014 funding period is December 1, 2012. |
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| Contact Information | Linda Willrich
Administrative Coordinator
412-246-6451
willrichl@upmc.edu
WPIC E1107 |
| Documents |
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T32 Post-doctoral Fellow Application and Program Description
T32 Postdoctoral Fellowship Brochure
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| Links |
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Postdoctoral Career Development & Progress Assessment Process
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| Current Trainees |
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Postdoctoral Scholars
Salvatore Insana, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Scholar
Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic
3811 O'Hara Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
I earned my B.A. in Psychology from West Virginia University (WVU). I then worked at Southwood Psychiatric Hospital as a Child Care Specialist. After two years of applied work, I returned to WVU and earned my Ph.D. in Life-Span Developmental Psychology. During my graduate training I specialized in the developmental psychobiology of sleep through research activities within the Sleep and Sleep Disorders: Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory while under the mentorship of Dr. Hawley Montgomery-Downs. In 2010 I began my postdoctoral training through the
Translational Research Training in Sleep Medicine T32 in Pittsburgh. Dr. Anne Germain is my primary mentor, and my research focus integrates early-life development, trauma, neuroscience, and sleep.
Christopher Kline, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Scholar
Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic
3811 O'Hara Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Email: klinec@upmc.edu
I earned my BA in Sports Science from Malone College (Canton, Ohio; 2002) before heading to the University of South Carolina (USC) for graduate school. While in the Department of Exercise Science in USC’s Arnold School of Public Health, I worked in the Chronobiology Laboratory under the mentorship of Dr. Shawn Youngstedt. I earned my PhD in 2011, where my dissertation examined the impact of exercise training on the severity and health consequences of obstructive sleep apnea. I have been a T32 postdoctoral trainee since December 2010, with Dr. Martica Hall as my primary mentor. My research interests focus on the relationship between exercise and sleep, the relationship between poor sleep and cardiometabolic risk, and how behavioral sleep treatments may reduce cardiometabolic risk via improved sleep.
Eric M Davis, M.D.
Postdoctoral Scholar
Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic
3811 O'Hara Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Email: davisem2@upmc.edu
I received my medical degree from the University of Virginia in 2006 and completed my internship and residency training in internal medicine from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in 2009. My research interest is focused on the relationship between sleep disordered breathing and both right and left heart dysfunction. We are using a mouse model to study respiratory control and changes in sleep architecture in these disease processes. My primary mentors are Drs. Chris O’Donnell, Hunter Champion, and Patrick Strollo.
Heather Gunn, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Scholar
Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic
3811 O'Hara Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Email: gunnh@upmc.edu
Heather Gunn (Oct 2012). Heather attended Arizona State for her undergraduate degree, University of Utah for graduate school, and completed her clinical internship at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. Her primary research focus is examining how the social world mitigates sleep quality by quantifying interpersonal behavior. For her dissertation, she objectively coded interpersonal responses to stress to identify specific types of behavior that were associated with subjective sleep. |
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| Postdoc Journal Club |
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| Check back for a list of journal articles discussed |
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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 University of Pittsburgh Sleep Medicine Institute (UPSMI) offers two types of research experiences for medical students:
- A short term summer research experience at the end of the first or second year of medical school;
- A longer term involvement through the School of Medicine Scholarly Project
Summer Research: The goal of the summer research elective is to capture the interest of medical students early in the path of career choice and to create a positive research experience focused on sleep medicine. The summer program is a 10-12 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. This opportunity provides a modest stipend together with outstanding research experience and opportunities.
Scholarly Project: The aims of the Scholarly Project are to: 1) Foster analytical thinking skills and the development of tools for rational decision-making in future physicians; 2) Provide the role models, mentorship, and guidance for students regarding careers that integrate research, teaching, and clinical service; 3) Present research and scholarly biomedical pursuits to students as endeavors that often, but not always, involve collegial interaction; 4) Enhance the medical school culture of self-directed and peer group-fostered learning; and 5) Enhance the oral and written communicaiton skills of graduating medical students.
How to Apply
Interested students will be interviewed and selected by the Program Directors and appropriate Training Faculty. Criteria for selection will include: 1) Interest in working in the field of Sleep Medicine; 2) Interest (and preferably experience) in clinical or basic biomedical research; and 3) Willingness to commit to the full-time 10-12 week summer elective, to complete a project, and contribute to a peer-reviewed publication; or interest in completing a Scholarly Project in Sleep Medicine.
Medical students should contact the Program Directors, who will direct them to a potential faculty mentor based on their interests and experience. Medical students will then meet with the mentor to assess the “match.” Students will be selected to participate in a research project that has the potential to lead to a presentation and in many cases a publication. In addition, students will be exposed to clinical research, observing research assessments, sitting in on team meetings, and occasionally going on rounds or observing a consultation. In total, approximately 8 hours per week will be devoted to clinical observation to provide students with some clinical context for their experience. The Program Directors will meet with the group weekly to review progress, address questions about clinical experiences they have had during the week, and to discuss interdisciplinary research in Sleep Medicine.
Finding a Mentor
The training program includes 31 participating faculty representing three schools of the Health Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh, and six departments and divisions within the School of Medicine. 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
Application Process
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 beginning the end of March. Awardees will be expected to prepare a poster of their work for the Student Research Presentation Symposium in October. Further information will follow upon acceptance.
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 Coordinator (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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| Contact Information | Linda Willrich
Administrative Coordinator
412-246-6451
willrichl@upmc.edu
WPIC E1107 |
| Documents |
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T32 Summer Medical Student Program Brochure
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| Contact Information |
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| For more information please contact Daniel J. Buysse, M.D. at (412) 246-6413 or Linda Willrich at willrichl@upmc.edu. |
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| Contact Information | Linda Willrich
Administrative Coordinator
412-246-6413
willrichl@upmc.edu
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