NIGMS T32 Interdisciplinary Biostatistics Training in Genetics and Genomics (T32 GM108557, 2014--2020)

• Director/PI: Wei Pan, weip@biostat.umn.edu
• Summary: The primary mission of this training grant is to prepare Biostatistics predoctoral trainees for leadership roles in biomedical and public health research through excellent training and mentorship in genetics and genomics. Our specific objectives include completion by each trainee of required and elective coursework in our PhD program and in other departments, mentored learning through interdisciplinary research projects, development of communication and networking skills, attendance at and participation in journal clubs and seminars, and successful completion of a program of interdisciplinary research through their dissertation, all of which give our trainees broad training in a rapidly expanding field. The distinctive feature of the proposed training program is that each objective has both a biostatistical aspect and a biomedical aspect. A key is to ensure each trainee learns how to carry out a cohesive and interdisciplinary research program, including working with biomedical researchers, and writing, submitting, editing, and resubmitting scholarly papers. The program is designed to support students for up to two years at the early stages of their PhD studies, after which their support will switch to projects funded by the faculty mentors' research grants.
• In addition to the usual requirement for the PhD study, here are TG-specific requirements:
  • Biomedical Ethics (BTHX 5325, 3 credits, recommended)
  • Two required courses in Statistical Genetics and Genomics: PUBH 8445 Statistics for Human Genetics and Molecular Biology, 3 credits, past syllabus; PUBH 8446 Advanced Statistical Genetics and Genomics, 3 credits, past syllabus; also counted as Biostatsitics electives;
  • Registration in Journal Club in Statistical Genetics and Genomics for four semesters (to be set up as a 1 credit class per semester), and participation in all remaining semesters;
  • If no previous biology background yet, strongly encouraged to take two TG-specific electives in computational or experimental biology (total 6 credits).
• Faculty trainers: (for any email address with a missing component after @, please add umn.edu after @)
  Biostatistics Mentors:
  • Wei Pan, PhD, Biostatistics (Director); Email: panxx014@
  • Saonli Basu, PhD, Biostatistics; saonli@
  • Mark Fiecas, PhD, Biostatistics; mfiecas@
  • Weihua Guan, PhD, Biostatistics; wguan@
  • Rui Kuang, PhD, Computer Sci&Eng; kuang@cs.umn.edu
  • Eric Lock, PhD, Biostatistics; elock@
  • Chad Myers, PhD, Computer Sci&Eng; cmyers@cs.umn.edu
  • James Neaton, PhD, Biostatistics; jim@ccbr.umn.edu
  • Cavan Reilly, PhD, Biostatistics; cavanr@biostat.umn.edu
  • Xiaotong Shen, PhD, Statistics; xshen@
  • Sandra Safo, PhD, Biostatistics, ssafo@
  • Baolin Wu, PhD, Biostatistics; baolin@biostat.umn.edu
  • Ling Zhang, PhD, Biostatistics; zhan4800@umn.edu
  
  Biomedical Co-Mentors:
  • Frank Alberts, PhD, Genetics, Cell Biology & Development; Email: falbert@
  • Peter Bitterman, MD, Medince; bitte001@
  • Ran Blekhman, PhD, Genetics, Cell Biology & Development; Ecology, Evolution & Behavior; blekhman@
  • Arkady Khodursky, PhD, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics; khodu001@
  • Matt McGue, PhD, Psychology; mcgue001@
  • William S. Oetting, PhD, Pharmacy & Genetics ; oetti001@
  • Jim Pankow, PhD, Epidemiology; panko001@
  • Nathan Pankratz, PhD, Laboratory Medicine and Pathology; pankr018@
  • Weihong Tang, PhD & MD, Epidemiology; tang0097@
  • Christine Wendt, MD, Medicine; wendt005@
• Student Outcome Data: since our program started in year 2014, we have only few past trainees who have graduated as listed below:
  • Trainee 1: entered the Biostat PhD program in 2009 (on-leave 2010-2011); graduated in 5 years in 2016; first job: Senior Statistician, Medtronic.
  • Trainee 2: entered the Biostat PhD program in 2011; graduated in 5 years in 2016; first job: Post-doc, Mayo Clinic.
  • Trainee 3: entered the Biostat PhD program in 2014; graduated in 4 years in 2018; first job: faculty at UC-Denver.
  • Trainee 4: entered the Biostat PhD program in 2015; graduated in 5 years in 2020; first job: faculty at UC-Denver.
  • Trainee 5: entered the Biostat PhD program in 2017; in progress.
  • Trainee 6: entered the Biostat PhD program in 2017; in progress.
  • Trainee 7: entered the Biostat PhD program in 2017; in progress.
  • Trainee 8: entered the Biostat PhD program in 2017; in progress.
  • Trainee 9: entered the Biostat PhD Program in 2018; in progress.
• Trainees: PhD students in Biostatistics or a related field at the University of Minnesota; US citizens or permanent residents; excellent academic records; strong interests in computation and analysis of genetic or genomic data.
  Interested applicants, especially under-represented minority students, are encouraged to contact the PI Dr Wei Pan via email: weip@biostat.umn.edu
  
  
• Journal Club schedule.
  
  
• More NIGMS T32 information. In partciluar, from "Answers to Institutional Predoctoral Training Grants (T32) Frequently Asked Questions":
  Q. Does NIGMS provide travel funds for T32 predoctoral trainees?
  A. Yes, NIGMS pays a flat rate of $300 per trainee per year for travel.
  Q. Can we request costs for family health insurance for trainees?
  A. Tuition, fees and health insurance (self-only or family) are allowable trainee costs only if such charges are applied consistently to all people in a similar training status at the organization, without regard to their source of support. Health insurance can include coverage for costs such as vision and/or dental care if consistent with organizational policy. Health insurance is awarded as part of the Training Related Expenses category.