T32 Translational Research Training in Sleep and Circadian Science
Postdoctoral, Predoctoral and Short-term TrainingOur philosophy rests on multidisciplinary, translational, evidence-based, milestone-driven, and socially conscious training. This training philosophy guides the structure of our program, the trainings that we offer, and the research that we conduct. Our philosophy also aligns with the “seven fundamental traits of a translational scientist” framework described by Gilliland and colleagues.* Our goal is to train scientists with deep content expertise in their focus areas, who value the input from diverse colleagues, and who possess the skill to communicate effectively with those colleagues.
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*ACS Pharmacol. Transl. Sci. 2019, 2, 3, 213–216
Program Administration

Daniel J. Buysse, MD
Training
Director
BuysseDJ@upmc.edu

Martica Hall, PhD
Training
Director
HallMH@upmc.edu

Sanjay Patel, MD, MPH
Training
Co-Director
PatelSR2@upmc.edu

Colleen McClung, PhD
Training
Co-Director
McclungCA@upmc.edu

Marquis S. Hawkins, PhD
Director of Diversity Recruitment and Retention
mah400@pitt.edu

Linda Willrich
Program
Administrator
willrichl@upmc.edu
Postdoctoral Research Program
The postdoctoral training program is the centerpiece of our T32. Our postdocs have achieved a high level of success in NIH grant funding through F, K, and R mechanisms. The objective of this NIH-funded T-32 program from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) is to train clinical and basic researchers in a translational approach to Sleep Medicine.
Eligibility Requirements
* At the time of the appointment, the candidate must be a citizen of the United States, or a permanent resident (green card)
* Individuals with a MD, MD/PhD, or PhD in a discipline related to sleep/circadian medicine including medicine, psychology, nursing, physiology, and epidemiology
* Deadline to apply is December 15. Applications are accepted at other times pending availability of open slots.
Program Training Faculty Mentors
Predoctoral Research Program
Our research program will support early pipeline development of a diverse cohort of sleep and circadian scientists. To do so, we will bridge didactic, experiential, and research training opportunities developed through our T32 postdoctoral program with graduate training in the nationally ranked departments of psychology, neuroscience, epidemiology, and health and physical activity at Pitt.
Eligibility Requirements
* At the time of the appointment, the candidate must be a citizen of the United States, or a permanent resident (green card)
* Graduate students in psychology (Biological and Health Psychology, Clinical Psychology, or dual-track Clinical and Health Psychology Programs), the Neuroscience Graduate Training Program (CNUP), the Epidemiology Program in the School of Public Health,and the Exercise Physiology Program in the Department of Health and Physical Activity (School of Education)
Program Training Faculty Mentors

Short-term Training Program
Medical student summer research program: This program offers introductory training in sleep and circadian science research to medical students early in their training at Pitt and other medical schools. This is a 10 to 12 week NIH funded individualized research experience with a sponsoring mentor that includes didactics directly linked to student research projects, and opportunities to interact with potential role models and peers.
Program goal: To grow the field of physician researchers by providing access and opportunities in sleep and circadian science research for a group of early pipeline medical students who are diverse in terms of both personal characteristics and educational experience.
Medical student scholarly project: This is a longer term involvement through the School of Medicine Scholarly Project.
Interest applicants should complete the online form or contact Linda Willrich, the program administrator at willrichl@upmc.edu.