University of Pittsburgh PITT HOME  |  FIND PEOPLE  |  CONTACT US
  Sleep Medicine Institute
HOME
UPSMI LEADERSHIP FACULTY
FACULTY
STAFF
INSTRUMENTS
PUBLICATIONS
LINKS
RESEARCH
RESEARCH STUDIES
TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH TRAINING IN SLEEP MEDICINE (T32)
  • Objective
  • Program Faculty
  • Post-doctoral Program Description
  • Medical Student Summer Research
  • Current Trainees
  • Contact Information
  • CLINICAL RESOURCES
    Translational Research Training in Sleep Medicine (T32)
     
    bullet point  Objective
     
     
    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.
     
      to topto top
     
     
    bullet point  Program Faculty
     
     
    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
     
      to topto top
     
     
    bullet point  Post-doctoral Program Description
     
     
    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.
     
    Documents
  • T32 Application and Description
  •  
      to topto top
     
     
    bullet point  Medical Student Summer Research
     
     
    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
     
      to topto top
     
     
    bullet point  Current Trainees
     
     
    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
     
      to topto top
     
     
    bullet point  Contact Information
     
     
    For more information please contact Melissa Shablesky-Cade, Sleep Medicine Administrative Specialist, at (412) 246-6451 or via e-mail at shableskym@upmc.edu.
     
      to topto top
     
     
     
       Health Sciences @ Pitt   |    UPMC   |    HSLS   |    School of Medicine   |    Health Sciences Calendar   |    Our News & Events  
    Top of Page  |  Home  |  Contact Us Last Update 4/28/2009
    © Office of the Senior Vice Chancellor for the Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh. All rights reserved.