Trans-disciplinary basic biomedical science (TDS) predoctoral training at MU

The National Institute of General Medical Sciences awarded the University of Missouri System $811,983 on July 1, 2026, to operate a trans-disciplinary basic biomedical science predoctoral training program under the Biomedical Research and Research Training program (CFDA 93.859).

The University of Missouri-Columbia will deliver a T32 training program for predoctoral students across four integrated PhD programs: Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Biological Engineering, and Translational Biosciences, with the latter offering specialized tracks in microbiology and virology, gene and stem cell therapy, immunology, physiology, nutrition and exercise science, cancer biology, and epidemiology and precision health. The program's core activities include a critical thinking workshop and new Biomedical Literature Colloquium course to strengthen scientific methodology and literature analysis skills; peer and mentor-mentee relationship training to build community belonging and self-efficacy; and professional communication instruction designed to increase external fellowship awards and peer-reviewed publications. The program targets improvement of PhD completion rates from the current 74–81 percent to 85 percent among participating trainees.

Performance occurs in Columbia, Missouri, with a period of performance from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2031.

Abstract

The university of missouri-columbia (MU) proposes to direct a trans-disciplinary basic biomedical science (TDS) T32 training program for predoctoral students in PHD programs. The mission of our training program is to facilitate the transformation of our trainees into independent scientists who are active producers of new biomedical knowledge and are adept at solving the complex problems of disease and illness that adversely affect human health. Our training program accomplishes this mission by bringing together four PHD programs including biochemistry, biological sciences, biological engineering, and translational biosciences. The latter program includes parallel emphasis areas (tracks) covering specialties including microbiology & virology, gene & stem cell therapy, immunology, physiology, nutrition & exercise science, cancer biology, and epidemiology & precision health. We propose to use science identity as our organizing principle, with its composition of community belonging, self-efficacy, and achieved deliverables. Objective #1: to strengthen the safe, supportive, and nurturing nature of our community by providing training to improve the quality of the peer- and mentor-mentee relationships that are so critical to career success and satisfaction. Objective #2: to expedite fluency in the scientific method, we will institute a critical thinking workshop to be followed by a new course, biomedical literature colloquium, for primary literature critique, presentation, and writing. Objective #3: to promote professional communication skills and increase achieved deliverables in the form of external fellowship wins and peer-reviewed publications. Objective #4: to improve the PHD completion rate of trainees in the participating biomedical doctoral programs from the current level of 74-81% to 85%. Our active program evaluation structure will allow independent, professional assessment of trainees' sense of science self- efficacy, science identity, perceived support, and satisfaction with mentoring relationships, all of which are predictors of academic satisfaction and persistence outcomes among predoctoral students. The TDS T32 program will implement a wide-ranging set of programmatic activities to develop the technical, operational, and professional skills that will enable our trainees to flourish in their independent scientific careers.