Abstract

Advances in noninvasive methods of measuring atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis have changed the field of CV epidemiology by providing more precise and useful phenotypes for CVD expression. Technology is constantly changing, requiring new protocols to match the capabilities of new equipment. Under the leadership of Dr. Kim Sutton-Tyrrell, this program is designed to provide concentrated training in the quality collection of subclinical atherosclerosis measures and how they can be used to understand the process of atherosclerosis.

The training program is organized around four major research strengths: vascular aging, women's health, high risk and international populations and genetics. The unifying theme is the application of subclinical atherosclerosis measures to each research area. Core strengths in nutrition, exercise, biostatistics, multi-center collaborations and psychosocial measures are also integrated into the program. This interconnected set of resources will provide a rich substrate upon which the trainees will develop.

Trainees will have a primary mentor and will also work closely with other faculty members as well as a peer mentor who is a more experienced trainee. The training program consists of course work, research field work and professional development , all individually tailored to each trainee. Research field work includes recruitment, data collection, entry and management, study operations and data analysis, providing trainees with experience in the full range of research tasks. Professional development activities include focused work with subclinical measures, completion of an independent research project, a remote training experience, grant writing experience, manuscript preparation, participation in national conferences, skill development workshops and training in the responsible conduct of research. Trainees will also have the opportunity to develop laboratory-based and analytical skills in genetic epidemiology. The program is designed to produce investigators skilled in a multidisciplinary approach to cardiovascular research, who are comfortable with using subclinical measures in cross-discipline collaborations and who have the skills to develop new measurement protocols.

Areas of Special Emphasis

Areas of special faculty emphasis include subclinical atherosclerosis measures, epidemiology and biostatistics, the development of new subclinical measurement protocols and adaptation of existing protocols to challenging populations, monitoring ongoing quality control of subclinical disease measures in both single center and multi-center environments, the biology of early structural changes in the brain and how they are imaged, and an understanding of the pathophysiology of the aging brain and the chosen subclinical measure.

Type of Training: Pre-Doctoral and Post-doctoral

Key Faculty Available as Preceptors

Sutton-Tyrrell, Kim, DrPH, MPH, Program Director

Program Co-Directors

Newman, Anne B., MD, MPH
Edmundowicz, Daniel, MD
Zmuda, Joseph, PhD
Ferrell, Robert, PhD

Training Faculty Members

Arslanian, Silva, MD
Barinas-Mitchell, Emma
Bonk, Janet MPN, RN
Brockwell, Sarah, PhD
Brooks, Maria, PhD
Bunker, Clareann H., PhD, MPH
Cauley, Jane, DrPH, MPH
Goodpaster, Bret, PhD
Johnston, Janet, PhD
Johnson, Susan, MD
Kelsey, Sheryl, PhD
Kip, Kevin, PhD
Kriska, Andrea, PhD, MS
Kuller, Lewis, MD, DrPH
London, Barry, MD
Lopez, Oscar, MD
Manzi, Susan, MD, MPH
Matthews, Karen, PhD
Ness, Roberta, MD, MPH
Orchard, Trevor, MBBCh, MMedSci
Sabatine, Janice
Sekikawa, Akira, MD, PhD, MPH
Schwartzman, David, MD
Soman, Prem
Talbott, Evelyn O., DrPH
Thomas, Stephen, PhD
Thompson, Trina, Dr.PH, BSN, RVT

Last updated: September, 2008

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