The Vanderbilt MPRINT Precision Therapeutics Academy (PTA) supports training and mentorship of junior investigators (predoctoral students, postdoctoral fellows, clinical fellows and junior faculty) in maternal and pediatric disciplines, with specific emphasis on developing the requisite skill sets for precision therapeutics research.

Precision therapeutics research is broadly defined and may include, but is not limited to, pharmacometrics, pharmacogenomics, pharmacoepidemiology, and analysis of large electronic datasets including BioVU.

Under this umbrella, there is a broad range of training opportunities, from individual seminars, to coursework, to more formal programs supported by one of our many T32, K12, and equivalent programs.

The Academy is supported by the NICHD-funded Vanderbilt Integrated Center of Excellence in Maternal and Pediatric Precision Therapeutics (VICE-MPRINT).

Benefits to Participation

• Receive supervision by a Scholarship Oversight Committee (SOC) of three or more mentors
• Learn from seminars and online courses
• Receive mentoring
• PTA participation can be added to a K or R grant to demonstrate a structured mentorship plan or part of a career plan
• Access to MPRINT Hub/network resources
• Consideration for Support Pool project funding

Structure

• Academy trainees will work with a primary mentor on a clinical research or data science project over a one- to two-year period.
• The SOC, including the primary mentor and a VICE-MPRINT mentor, will supervise the trainee throughout the program.
• Trainees and their mentors will create an Individual Development Plan (IDP) as a communication and planning tool, which encourages collaboration between trainees and their research advisors.
• Trainees will participate in seminars and journal clubs and interact with other trainees and faculty in MPRINT Hub activities.
• Responsible conduct of research (RCR) training is available through the Vanderbilt Office of Biomedical Research Education and Training.
• Trainees will be expected to present their work at the standing research meetings for their specific project, as well as at VICE-MPRINT and MPRINT-wide meetings.

Curriculum

Academy trainees will:

• Develop a training plan (IDP)
• Complete core didactic education (in-house seminars and lectures, as well as webinars presented by the MPRINT Hub; see below for additional details)
• Attend at least one monthly didactic presentation in their focal area (e.g., journal club) during the academic year
• Initiate and complete a mentored research project, which includes:
  • Meetings with VICE-MPRINT mentor
  • Presentation of the final project to the MPRINT group

Core Areas of Education & Training

• Data Science and Bioinformatics (biostats, data science & analytics)
• Electronic Data Set & System Analysis and Discovery (real-world data sources, BioVU, PheWAS, pharmaco- and genetic epidemiology and outcomes)
• Practice of Genomic Medicine (PGx, diagnosis & therapeutics)

Core Didactic Presentations

Genomics and Personalized Medicine Seminars
The Genomics and Personalized Medicine Seminars are held Tuesdays from 2:00-3:00pm via Zoom.

Center for Precision Medicine Seminars
The Center for Precision Medicine Seminars are held on the 4th Monday of the month from 10:00-11:00am via Zoom.

Principles of Pediatric Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics Lecture Series
For more information on the Principles of Pediatric Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics Lecture Series, please visit the lecture series webpage.

MPRINT Hub Activities
The MPRINT Hub Webinars are held during the academic year on the 1st Tuesday of the month at 12:00pm CST & the 3rd Thursday of the month at 1:00pm CST via Zoom. Prior recordings can be found here: https://iu.mediaspace.kaltura.com/channel/channelid/251759013

Current Precision Therapeutics Academy Trainees