T32 Postdoctoral Training Program in Recovery and Restoration of CNS Health and Function

Overview

The aim of this exciting dynamic, interdisciplinary training program, housed at Massachusetts General Hospital, is to advance and enhance recovery from disabling brain injuries. We are seeking post-doctoral candidates in neuroscience or engineering (PhD) and clinician-scientists (MD or MD/PhD) to train under a multidisciplinary faculty spanning anesthesia, biomedical engineering, computational neuroscience, neurology, neurosurgery, physical medicine and rehabilitation, psychiatry, and radiology.

This program is tailored to individual goals and focuses on research within four key thematic areas:

• Clinical research and clinical trials
• Computational neuroscience
• Neural recording to neural imaging
• Neural repair and neuromodulation

At its core, the program features a collaborative team of multidisciplinary mentors from engineerng and clinical neurosciences. Our objective is to cultivate the next generation of academic researchers proficient in both clinical neuroscience and engineering, with strong communication skills across these domains.

Program Components

This fellowship program entails a structured curriculum designed to provide trainees with a comprehensive learning experience, focusing on both independent research and interdisciplinary collaboration. Here are the key components of the program:

1. Conducting Research: Trainees will dedicate a minimum of 80% of their time to conducting closely-mentored, independent research projects in the laboratory of their primary mentor. They will also learn to collaborate effectively with other team members, including secondary mentors, within a multidisciplinary framework.
2. Educational Activities: Trainees will attend targeted seminars, journal clubs, and visiting scholar talks, in addition to participating in monthly lunches. These activities aim to broaden their knowledge base and foster intellectual exchange within the scientific community.
3. Writing & Presenting: Trainees will receive instruction and practice in scientific writing and presentation skills, essential for effectively communicating research findings. Workshops focusing on professional skills development will also be provided to enhance their overall proficiency.
4. Clinical Engagement: While research is the primary focus, trainees will spend no more than 20% of their time on clinical care. They will have the opportunity to attend relevant Grand Rounds in their clinical specialty to stay informed about current topics in their field.
5. Lab Participation: Trainees will actively participate in weekly lab meetings, tutorials with the lab director, and all other lab activities. This ensures their integration into the research environment and facilitates ongoing mentorship and support.
6. Proposal Development: Trainees will work on developing and refining proposals for K-awards or equivalent funding opportunities, with a particular emphasis on this aspect during the second year of the fellowship.
7. Coursework: Trainees will enroll in one advanced engineering or clinical trials methods course per year, either auditing or taking pass/fail. The Program Director has the discretion to adjust this requirement based on individual trainee needs and circumstances.

Overall, the fellowship program offers a structured and dynamic learning environment aimed at nurturing the research and professional skills of trainees, preparing them for successful careers in academia and beyond.

Application Guidelines

Application guidelines for the NINDS T32 Postdoctoral Training Program in Recovery and Restoration of CNS Health and Function are as follows:

• Eligible trainees will be supported for 2 years, NIH requires trainees to be U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents (Green Card holders).
• Identify a T32 mentor or, if your intended primary mentor is not listed as a T32 faculty member on the below list, please choose a T32 faculty member as a co-mentor prior to applying. This T32 is intended to provide a substantially new experience for its fellows. 
• With the help of your mentor, and possibly co-mentor, design a project that fits the objectives and components of this training program.
• Please submit your application to this link with your current CV, career development statement (indicating relevant previous experience, goals for mentors, goals for the fellowship period, and long-term career goals), proof of degree completion, description of the proposed research project and potential mentors, and 3 letters of recommendation from prior mentors/instructors, applicants with clinical training should submit one of the letters from their residency or fellowship training director.
• Start dates are negotiated with the Program Director and the primary mentor.

Mentor List

• David J. Lin, MD – MGH Neurology
• Leigh Hochberg, MD, PhD – MGH Neurology
• Jonathan Rosand, MD, MSc – MGH Neurology
• Lori Chibnik, PhD, MPH – MGH Neurology
• Joseph Giacino, PhD – SRH PM&R
• Michael Levy, MD, PhD – MGH Neurology
• Prudence Plummer, PhD, BPhysio(Hons), PT – MGH Institute for Health Professions
• Eric Rosenthal, MD – MGH Neurology
• Ana-Maria Vranceanu, PhD – MGH Psychiatry
• Emery Brown, MD, PhD – MGH Anesthesia (MIT and Harvard Medical School / MGH.)
• Catherine Chu, MD, MA, MMSc – MGH Neurology
• Ziv Williams, MD – MGH Neurosurgery
• Joan Camprodon, MD, PhD, MPH – MGH Psychiatry
• Darin Dougherty, MD, MSc – MGH Psychiatry
• Shelly Fried, PhD – MGH Neurosurgery
• Andrea Harriott, MD PhD – MGH Neurology
• Teresa Kimberley, PhD, PT – MGH Institute for Health Professions, MGH Neurology
• Mark Richardson, MD, PhD – MGH Neurosurgery
• Ross Zafonte, DO – MGH/SRH Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
• Sydney Cash, MD, PhD – MGH Neurology
• Brian Edlow, MD – MGH Neurology
• Maria Francheschini, PhD – MGH Radiology
• Susie Huang, MD, PhD – MGH Radiology
• Bruce Rosen, MD, PhD – MGH Radiology
• Susanne van Veluw, PhD – MGH Neurology
• Sahar Zafar, MD – MGH Neurology