ADVANCED RESEARCH TRAINING

The following programs provide financial support to pre and/or post-doctoral trainees to allow them to concentrate on developing both the range and depth of skills necessary to become generative scientists in the field of mental retardation and developmental disabilities. The following section describes these training opportunities.

 

Reproductive Biology: Early Pregnancy and Development (Post-doctoral)

The focus is on training promising young investigators in the fields of reproductive biology and early embryonic development. Stipend support is available for two to tree years and the trainee has the opportunity to choose from among fourteen research laboratories each of which is funded by NIH. The broad areas of emphasis include: 1) male and female gametogenisis, 2) oocyte maturation, fertilization, and egg quality, 3) pre and post implantation development with emphasis on the relationship of the immune system to the developing embryo. Candidates must have an M.D., D.V.M, or Ph.D and a strong commitment to pursuit of a research career in an academic or industrial setting.

Please contact Dr. Bill Kinsey for more information.

Neural Bases of Motor Dysfunction and Rehabilitation (Post-doctoral)

The National Institute of Health is funding a training program on the neural bases of motor dysfunction and rehabilitation. Two to three years of support available. The unifying goals of faculty and students in this program are the understanding of neural principles underlying motor function in health and disease, and the application of those principles to therapeutic interventions. The training program focuses on three general research themes: 1) characterization of impairments and recovery, 2) rehabilitative interventions, 3) pharmacologic interventions. Individuals may concentrate their training in either a basic or clinical research laboratory, but basic science trainees will have the opportunity to participate in clinical aspects of rehabilitative medicine, and clinical trainees will be provided with basic science experience related to the neural bases of motor impairment and recovery from brain injury. Candidates must have an MD, a Ph.D. or equivalent degree and a strong commitment to a basic or clinical research career, particularly in rehabilitation sciences.

Please contact Dr. Randy Nudo for more information.

Cross-campus Neuroscience Ph.D. Program (Pre-doctoral)

This is a multidisciplinary graduate program at the University of Kansas/Kansas University Medical Center. The goal of this program is to guide students in the development of knowledge and skills in molecular, cellular, cognitive and behavioral neuroscience. In addition to the required course work, students will have the opportunity to learn research skills from several laboratories that focus on different aspects of neurophysicology and neurochemistry as they relate to behavior. Students will be encouraged to pursue thesis and dissertation topics that take advantage of scientific advances in genetics, neuroscience, and behavior analysis represented in the faculty investigators at the MRDDRC.

Please contact Dr. Eli Michaelis or Dr. Paul Cheney for more information.