University of Minnesota Receives Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism Training Grant

Awarded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), MN PRIMED: Postbaccalaureate Readiness in Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes aims to prepare eight aspiring scholars from diverse backgrounds to enter graduate programs and obtain their PhDs or MD/PhD within the Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism (DEM) fields. In partnership with Emilyn Alejandro, PhD of Integrative Biology and Physiology, Lisa Chow, MD, Division Director for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism (DEM) is named as co-principal investigator on the grant and will provide a clinical perspective to the two-year intensive research experience.

“This is an outstanding program to provide the infrastructure needed to "set the base" for these recent college graduates for future success in research related to Metabolism, Endocrinology, and Diabetes,” said Dr. Chow. “I believe that the synergy between Dr. Alejandro's basic science perspective and my clinical perspective will provide an enriching and stimulating environment to support these trainees.”

Trainees will spend two years at the University of Minnesota working with faculty conducting advanced research in DEM. They will participate in graduate courses and workshops for career development and receive close mentoring. The training grant also includes a one-week rotation at other prestigious universities allowing learners to master new techniques and explore potential graduate programs and PhD mentors.

In addition to the eight post baccalaureate scholars funded by the NIDDK grant, Dean Tolar’s office and key departments provided further support for an additional three learners, creating spots for eleven trainees. MN PRIMED’s recruitment efforts will focus on learners from Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and smaller universities lacking major NIH funding.

We look forward to witnessing the program’s national impact in meeting the growing needs for DEM research.