Contents

Important Contacts

Goals and Objectives

Goal: to provide a environment in which young scientists are offered access to the finest research minds and superb equipment; and are given the support, encouragement and training that will assure that the become future leaders in cardiovascular research

We have assembled a group of approximately 43 mentors from 7 training programs and 3 divisions in the School of Medicine. All are committed to training young investigators and teachers interested in the study of the heart and vasculature. Focus areas for faculty research include: biophysics and molecular biology of receptors and ion channels, cell signaling, growth control of vascular smooth muscle, microvascular regulation, molecular basis of leukocyte-endothelial cell interactions, and genetic engineering of the vascular system. Our laboratories are supplemented by a superb array of shared-instrumentation and core facilities. The training program supports 15 pre-doctoral and post-doctoral trainees. The first year of graduate training is guided by one of the 7 programs after which the trainee chooses an advisor and a department to complete training. For pre-doctoral students, the departments establish criteria for professional excellence in the particular discipline, whereas the training grant Executive Committee focuses on the competencies necessary for quality cardiovascular research. Post-doctoral fellow training is primarily under the direction of their mentor(s), aided by consultation with the Training Grant Executive Committee. The central aim of the post-doctoral program is to complete the training of independent scientist-scholars. Accordingly, the fellows are treated as colleagues, and commonly interact with more than one faculty member during the training period. Didactic education of both pre- and post-doctoral fellows is supplemented by a cardiovascular research-in-progress presentation series (the RIP’s), laboratory discussion groups, and an outstanding seminar program hosted by the Cardiovascular Research Center in conjunction with the participating centers, departments, and divisions. Preparation for translational research is fostered by the blend of faculty from clinical and basic science departments. Our training program is strongly backed by the University of Virginia, School of Medicine, which has established the Cardiovascular Research Center (CVRC) as a focus for coordinating cardiovascular research and training throughout the Medical School. In the spring of 2002 the CVRC and many of its associated trainees moved into new space, thus fostering stronger relations between faculty and trainees, and stimulating our interdisciplinary and translational research programs.

Training of Predoctoral Fellows

Only citizens and permanent residents of the United States are eligible for training grant support, according to regulations set forth by the National Institutes of Health, the funding agency for this program. Pre-doctoral fellows have a broad range of undergraduate backgrounds and research interests while in graduate school. Their training is a combination of laboratory experience, coursework, mentoring, special events, and professional development. Admission is via the BIMS programs (www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/bims/), and at the end of the first year students choose an advisor and department, meeting their requirements and ours in their training process. Training of Postdoctoral Fellows Post-doctoral fellows come from a broad range of disciplines (both MD’s and PhD’s), and their training is based primarily on laboratory experience. Early in the training process (preferably within the first year), post-doctoral fellows are encouraged to apply for external funding to support their own research activities. The success rate for our trainees in these grant applications is remarkably high, due to the quality of the trainees, the efforts of the faculty to guide the trainees, and formal instruction in grant writing. Working in conjunction with their advisors, these grants provide fellows with a learning experience in grant writing and in the development of hypothesis-driven scientific research. Post-doctoral fellows also have the opportunity for teaching experience in the graduate and medical curriculum. Duration of Training Grant Tenure The National Institutes of Health provides support for an individual student for a maximum duration of 5 years for a pre-doc and 3 years for a post-doc. The Cardiovascular Research Training Grant tries to limit support for our trainees to 2 years with the anticipation that they will obtain independent support within the first 2 years on the grant. Continued support beyond 2 years requires reapplication to the training grant and assessment by the Executive Committee of demonstrated effort to obtain external support and strong recommendation of his/her mentors(s). Training Grant Events Fall Party – October/Halloween
Robert M. Berne Lecture – October 12, 2010: Eric J. Topol, M.D.
Winter Party – January or February, At Brian Duling’s home
Trainee Speakers – April 22, 2010: William (Bill) Sessa, Ph.D.; coordinated by Trainee Representatives and includes happy hour, lunch, meetings, seminar
Spring Picnic – Pavilion VIII, June
Recruiting Fairs – please come with us on recruiting trips! See the program coordinator.

Requirements for All Trainees

Participation in the following is required by each Trainee:

1. Ethics course (BIMS 7100, a short course offered every spring)
   Beginning in 1989, the National Institutes of Health introduced a requirement that institutions provide a program of instruction in the responsible conduct of research (NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts, Volume 18, Number 45, 1989). This was later expanded to require that all fellows on NIH training grants should receive instruction in the responsible conduct of research. The requirement does not specify a particular format or curriculum. However, recommendations are made that several areas should be covered in the instruction: conflict of interest, responsible authorship, policies for handling misconduct, policies regarding the use of human and animal subjects, and data management. This course is designed to help student consider each of these areas and therein formulate an understanding of responsible conduct in research.
2. Vascular Biology course (BIMS 8062, offered every other spring – next in 2011)
   A broad interdisciplinary course considering the basis for vascular function from a physiological and pathophysiological perspective. Topics include basic microcirculatory function, smooth muscle and endothelial cell function and development, capillary exchange, inflammatory processes, leukocyte endothelial cell interactions, and the pathophysiology of atherogenesis. Topics such as vascular control, angiogenesis, and inflammatory responses of the cardiovascular system will be highlighted. Prerequisite: One course in mammalian physiology and one in cell biology.
3. Cardiovascular Research Center Seminar Series (BIMS 8091/8092, selected Thursdays at noon with special seminars other days and times) followed by lunch with external speakers
4. Cardiovascular Research Center trainees’ Research-in-Progress presentation (BIMS 8071/8072, third Mondays at 5 p.m.)
5. Course and Lab work as required by your department

Participation in the following is recommended for each Trainee:

1. Translational Research Enhancement Program (scheduled individually, see Andrea McNeely)
2. Modern Literature of Cardiovascular Research (BIMS 8063/8064)
   A one-credit course taught by a number of members of the faculty of the Cardiovascular training grant. Faculty will rotate from semester to semester. It will be offered each semester and the aim of the course will be to establish a strong background in cardiovascular research technology and state-of-the-art research concepts.
3. Medical School Cardiovascular Physiology Course or equivalent
4. Medical School Cardiovascular Pharmacology Course or equivalent

Opportunities for Trainees While interacting with the CVRC Training Grant, you may have opportunities to:

• Make use of CVRC facilities such as poster printing and the library and attend CVRC functions
• Be nominated for and perhaps receive a Robert M. Berne Trainee Achievement Award (two awarded each year, one postdoctoral and one predoctoral)
• Teach a section of the BIMS 8063/8064 Modern Literature in Cardiovascular Research
• Present in progress research during the monthly Research-in-Progress presentations
• Go on recruiting trips up and down the eastern seaboard
• Meet with the dedicated training grant speaker at happy hours, lunches, and office meetings
• Serve as trainee representative for the training grant
• Meet with Brian Duling as needed to talk about your scientific progress and challenges
• Progress to alumni status, where as long as you’re at UVa, you can continue to participate in events!

Predoctoral Trainee Stipends and Benefits 2010-2011

Each year, the Training Grant awards a stipend, insurance allotment, and travel and book allowance. For the coming academic year, the amounts are as follows:

1. STIPEND – NIH provides stipends for trainees at $21,180/year (beginning July 1, 2010). We recognize that our trainees are exceptional and that they make major contributions to our research programs and therefore, the office of the Dean or mentors supplement the training grant stipends to bring them to the current level of $25,500. Additionally, special recognition of accomplishment is sometimes provided in the form of merit scholarship stipends may be awarded by departments and mentors.
2. Tuition and Fees – The Training Grant will cover tuition costs for all courses needed for and directly related to the PhD for 3 semesters a year.
3. Health Insurance/ Dental – The Training Grant will cover the Student Health plan or up to $2,413. Students receiving Chickering/Aetna Insurance will have it paid directly by the grant. Dental Insurance is paid for by student, receipts are submitted to the BIMS administrator, and the BIMS administrator reimburses from the CVRC Training Grant.
4. Gym Membership -- Full-Time Students with valid UVa IDs are automatically members through payment of tuition & fees. If you are research-only for the summer, you are a member of the gym. If you are not registered for classes, there is a small charge for the summer.

If other expenses arise that your advisor is unable to cover, submit your needs in writing to the CVRC office, and we will do our best to meet them. Good resources for graduate student information are
http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/gpo/enrolled.cfm and
http://www.virginia.edu/graduateguide/.

Postdoctoral Trainee Stipends* and Benefits

1. Stipend Levels (set by NIH for FY09)

Years Experience Stipend Amount 0 $37,740.00 1 39,756.00 2 42,624.00 3 44,304.00 4 45,960.00 5 47,940.00 6 49,836.00 7 52,068.00	*If advisors want to pay at a higher level than what is allotted by the Training Grant they may supplement with non-NIH funds only.
	Please see http://www.nationalpostdoc.org/postdocs/187-overview-of-tax-issues-for-postdocs for information about postdoctoral tax issues.

2. Health Insurance - (from the website of the Office of the Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies:  http://www.virginia.edu/vpr/postdoc/postdocinsurance.html)

   The departmental Research Administrator (or other designee) and the Postdoctoral Fellow must take the following steps to ensure proper enrollment in the Postdoctoral Fellow Health Insurance Plan and begin insurance coverage:

   1. Prior to the start of the fellowship, the Research Administrator (or other designee) must provide documentation of the funding source and the amount of funds that are designated for health insurance purchase to the Office of the Vice President for Research. Grant budget pages are a common example of such documentation.
      
      Please be aware that in 2006 the National Institutes of Health increased the allowance for postdoctoral training expenses to $7850 to cover health insurance. Please email documentation to Wendy Perry, Director of Postdoctoral Programs, at wperry@virginia.edu or fax to 434.924.8720.
      
      
   2. The Research Administrator (or other departmental designee) must fill out an online form with account and enrollee information for the office management of the Vice President for Research. Charges will be made immediately following the appointment end date, or annually, whichever comes first.
      
      
   3. After receiving email confirmation of Step 1 from the Office of the Vice President for Research, the Research Administrator (or other designee) must instruct the Postdoctoral Fellow to complete the necessary insurance enrollment forms available from the Benefits Division of Human Resources (924-4392). Completed forms must be received at the Benefits Division within 31 days of the beginning of the fellowship. Questions concerning how to add dependent and family coverage, cost of additional coverage, deductibles, etc., should be directed to the Benefits Division at benefits@virginia.edu.
      
      
   4. The Research Administrator (or other designee) must notify postdoc@virginia.edu of any change in status (e.g. change in grant number, family status, termination, renewal).
      
      
3. Intramural Sports and Athletic Facilities
   
   A request for a letter of authorization identifying the postdoctoral fellow who would like to use these facilities should be sent to Andrea McNeely, the Program Coordinator. The annual charge for using these facilities is approximately $300. The Training Grant can reimburse you for this charge but only if requested. Details about all the facilities available and their hours of operation are available by visiting http://www.virginia.edu/ims/index.html or calling 924-3791. The authorization letter should be taken to The Director, Intra-Mural Sports and Recreation, Aquatic and Fitness Center, Whitehouse Road from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday through Friday.
   
   
   

   If other expenses arise that your advisor is unable to cover, submit a description of your needs in writing to the CVRC office, and we will do our best to meet them.

   Postdoctoral trainees have to agree to “pay back” the first 12 months only of their postdoctoral stipend. This payback can be in the form of one month of work in the field of science (including teaching and industry) for every month up to 12 months that they received an NRSA postdoctoral fellow stipend. Note that the second year of a post-doctoral fellowship qualifies as a payback.

All Trainee Benefits and Information

Travel Funds For the current project period, the Training Grant will pay up to $1,100.00/year in travel expenses. Reminders:

• Please let the Training Grant Administrator know when you are going on a trip. This information is useful if trying to locate you but also in planning for your expenses and reimbursement. International travel must have prior approval by the Dean. Please allow at least 2 weeks before the trip for this or your costs may not be covered.
• Flights and conference registration can be paid for ahead of time by the Administrator or can be reimbursed after a trip with receipts and boarding passes.
• Lodging, meals, and car rental will be reimbursed after the trip (with receipts, of course). Lodging receipts must be itemized. Meals can be reimbursed either with all itemized receipts or a set per diem but not a mixture of the two. If renting a vehicle, do not purchase the extra insurance as the University has coverage. Also, gas must be purchased before turning the vehicle in instead of added to the rental charge and a receipt from the gas station must accompany request for reimbursement.
• Submit receipts and all trip information to the Administrator within 5 business days of trip completion.
• More information about travel can be obtained through http://www.procurement.virginia.edu/pagetravel or asking the Administrator.

The Training Grant will pay up to $200/year to defray the costs of books or journals related to research activities. Books can be purchased by the Administrator by providing a list or can be reimbursed by turning in a receipt.

One journal subscription is allowed per year (includes subsets and online access). Journal subscription can be paid by the Administrator or reimbursed.

One student or trainee type membership in a professional society is allowed per year. Memberships can be paid by the Administrator or reimbursed. If reimbursed, make sure to select graduate student, post-doctoral, or trainee cost as opposed to full membership cost.

Registration and travel for special courses (such as summer courses at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) will be considered in addition to allotted travel funds. Application should be made to the Training Grant Executive Committee through the Training Grant Administrator. A syllabus and cost structure of the proposed course should be provided with a short statement of how this course will be especially significant to the trainee’s progress.

The Cardiovascular Research Center has a site on the Web at http://www.cvrc.virginia.edu. This website provides the ability to:

• Understand the history and organization of the program
• Complete an application online
• Review the work of participating faculty and make an informed decision on program area and mentor
• View a listing of current trainees and their biographies
• Access and edit your profile
• Review the orientation process and print out an orientation handbook
• View information regarding the Outstanding Trainee Award
• Search the CVRC web pages prior to the WWW.

The University of Virginia has an extensive site on the Web at http://www.virginia.edu/research. It includes information about all research faculty at the University including their principal field of research, their phone numbers and e-mail addresses. Other resources on this site include visa information; information about how to disclose intellectual property; links to NIH and NSF grant directories on-line; information about courier services available to deliver grant proposals to federal agencies and more. This site is updated weekly, and we encourage you to bookmark it in your browser program.

Alderman Library and the other eleven libraries in the University System are state libraries, and all residents of Charlottesville and surrounding counties are eligible to use their driver's license or a similar form of identification as a library card. The Claude Moore Health Sciences Library is not a state library and is dedicated to Health System Center faculty, staff, students and those affiliated with the Health System Center, such as health care providers in this region. An active University ID card is used to access materials and for borrowing privileges. To use online materials through the library and its website, an active UVa email account is necessary.

Your primary department (eg, CVRC if you work in a laboratory located in CVRC space including MR-4 and MR-5; Radiology if you are a CVRC trainee but working for a Radiology PI) is responsible for providing trainees with ID badges, email access, door access, HR support, etc. Speak to the COO in the Cardiovascular Research Center Offices (MR5, Suite 1010) to establish that you have access to the appropriate doors in the CVRC. The administrative director of any other department can provide similar services.

To facilitate delivery of express mail (FedEx, UPS) on the grounds of the University, your department name should be given as your return address, along with your lab's building name and room number. For US Mail and University personnel (referred to as “Messenger Mail”), the department's name and box number must be used. If the user is located in MR5 building, assigned box numbers for the building should be given as your return address, along with Charlottesville, VA 22908. Check with your Department contact for your box number. The CVRC Box number is PO Box 801394, Charlottesville, VA 22908.

The Parking and Transportation Office is located on Millmont Street, behind Barracks Road Shopping Center. Their hours are 7:30am - 5:00pm, Monday - Friday. Phone 924-7231 for more information. Permits can be issued immediately for lots at Scott Stadium West and U-Hall. The University provides bus service to limited areas of the grounds and Charlottesville. There are several bus lines that service different areas as well as a Hospital/Scott Stadium and Hospital/U-Hall shuttle service. Refer to http://www.virginia.edu/parking/uts/index.html Charlottesville Transit Service buses are free with your University ID.  Refer to http://www.charlottesville.org/Index.aspx?page=662 for bus lines. 

This is revised annually.  To include the names of new faculty, postdoctoral research fellows, and classified staff, complete a Directory Update Form on-line at https://whois.virginia.edu/cgi-local/whois_wrap    The cut-off date for inclusion in the new phone book, which is circulated at the end of November, is September 1.

CVRC Training Grant Mentors

Research In Progress Presentations

DAY: 3rd Monday of every month.
TIME: 5:00 PM, food & drinks provided.
PLACE: MR5 1005.

At a ROUNDTABLE each person gives a brief 4-6 minute synopsis of their ongoing research through oral description, no slides. We will then just go around the table. The goal is for each trainee to gain experience in explaining your research to a diverse audience, and for everyone to become familiarized with the research interests of their fellow CVTG trainees. We strongly encourage you to ask questions to help clarify your peer’s presentation and to supplement the questions that we might ask. The goal is to help you recognize how you might have done a better job at explaining what you are doing and why. Here are some suggestions for you to think about in preparing what you are going to say. 1. Identify your audience and gear your presentation to the individuals in the group who know the least about your topic area. This is a critical skill for all effective communication including grant writing. Those more familiar will appreciate the refresher. 2. Identify who you are, what lab the work was done in, and perhaps a few words about your overall long term professional interests. For example, if you are a 2nd year student, where do you want to be headed after you receive your diploma? 3. When you begin the summary of your work (this applies to any research communication), you need to always open with a sentence that convinces your audience that what you are about to say is important and worth their attention. 4. Give one or two sentences (you cannot afford much more than this) of background that orients the audience regarding your project and clearly identifies the problem, question, or hypothesis that you hope to address. 5. Tell them how you intend to address the problem/question/hypothesis and if possible the rationale for selecting the experimental approach you selected. 6. Tell them your major findings (if any so far). 7. Give a conclusion that summarizes your findings and what is next. 8.  Identify the “best thing” and “worst thing” about your research. It is a real challenge to communicate in this fashion but is a skill you must develop to be a successful independent investigator. RIP sessions (February-June, August-December)

We will assign trainees to these slots. Everyone will present at least once during the year. One trainee will give a very focused background lecture for 12-15 minutes for the trainee that is presenting their RIP. This will be the introduction for the next trainee to present their current research to the group in 15-20 minutes. Guidelines for both presentation types: 1.  During or following your talk, pose 3-5 questions to stimulate trainee participation. 2.  Any attending faculty will be asked to not ask questions at the end of your presentation until there have been at least 2 student questions. Faculty of course can ask points of clarification during talks. However, because of the short time frame, only clarification questions can be asked. Guidelines for both presentation types: 1.  Please include material in your RIP presentation that is incomplete or controversial. This could be presented toward the end of your talk and might conclude with a slide summarizing future directions. Don't feel like you should have a complete story before presenting data - take advantage of the great input your trainee colleagues can provide early in a project. 2.  Consider presenting a last slide to address the questions, "How does this research project relate to my long term plans of being a successful scientist?" 3.  The RIP is intended to be a trainee’s primary forum for exchange of research ideas so please let us know if you have additional suggestions. All attendees will be expected to fill out an evaluation sheet for each presentation to give feedback to the presenter. If you have questions about the CVRC Research-in-Progress presentation sessions, please contact Brian Wamhoff (wamhoff@virginia.edu). Click here to download the CVRC RIP Trainee Performance Evaluation Form

Translational Research Enhancement Program

With the increasing recognition of the importance of translational research and of the need for integrative studies for our trainees in cardiovascular biology, we have initiated a Translational Research Enhancement Program for our Cardiovascular Research Trainees. Many of our students are highly focused on cellular and molecular research programs in their laboratory work, and they are more and more likely to be separated from the ultimate product of NIH sponsored research, that is, the illness and the patient. To address this we have developed a program for exposure of basic scientists in training to clinical activities. We have brought together a group of clinician-scientist faculty members involved in both cardiovascular medicine and basic cardiovascular research (see appended table). Each trainee is asked to select an individual from this group and to spend a day in a cardiovascular-related clinical environment. Clinical activities include cardiology and pediatric cardiology clinics, cardiac catheterization laboratory, cardiac and vascular anesthesia, cardiac and vascular surgery, cardiovascular pathology, etc. Ideally, the clinical scientist chosen will have a parallel research interest with the student, but that is not required. The student will meet with the faculty member for a preclinical orientation and didactic session which will inform the student of what to expect and what they might learn from this experience. During the clinical exposure, and in a didactic session following the clinical experience, the faculty member and student will discuss the relevance of the clinical observations to cardiovascular research issues. We hope that you will participate in this experience and that you will let us know how it can be improved. Please contact me if you have any questions or if you just want to discuss a clinical activity. Randall Moorman, rmoorman@virginia.edu

List of Clinicians Mentors for Translational Research Enhancement Program

Annual Trainee Status Report