Pre-Doctoral Trainees

Program Requirements 

Through the combined efforts of the Vanderbilt Interdisciplinary Graduate Program (IGP) and the Quantitative Chemical Biology Program (QCB), Metabolic Endocrinology Training Program (METP) pre-doctoral trainees receive a broad didactic education. Through the efforts of The Office of Biomedical Research Education & Training (BRET), pre-doctoral trainees receive formal training in animal safety, biosafety, the proper use of radioisotopes, and in appropriate procedures for dealing with toxic and dangerous materials. They also have access to a formal career-counseling program. 

The BRET Office initiates training of graduate students in the Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) and in Methods for Enhancing Reproducibility (MER) and this education continues under the direction of the METP throughout the course of their graduate education as described below. 

The specific requirements on the part of pre-doctoral METP trainees are: 

  1. Take the Molecular Endocrinology course (MPB 8327) in the fall
  2. Take the Tutorials in Physiology course (MPB 8324) in the fall/spring if they are in the Molecular Physiology & Biophysics Graduate Program, or an equivalent course administered by their own graduate program. These courses provide training in grant writing as required by NIH regulations.
  3. Attend and present their research to other METP trainees and preceptors at the annual METP Day retreat and, where appropriate, the Diabetes Research Day retreat.
  4. Where appropriate, they regularly attend the NIDDK-funded Vanderbilt Diabetes Research and Training Center seminar series and meet with the visiting scientists. Those trainees not performing diabetes/obesity research are strongly encouraged to attend alternate molecular endocrinology-related seminars.
  5. Their thesis committee should be composed of one METP preceptor in addition to their research mentor. For trainees who are in the laboratory of a junior faculty member, the additional METP member on their thesis committee must be the METP director.
  6. Participate every four years in the Introduction to RCR Symposium arranged by the BRET Office. This RCR training supplements the training received in the laboratory and at thesis committee meetings.
  7. Discuss in depth with their thesis committees the potential for the preparation and submission of successful applications for an individual fellowship or independent research project grant.
  8. Attend the monthly trainee-run METP Data Club.

Applicant Information

The METP supports eight pre-doctoral trainees each year. In most cases support is provided for two years, contingent upon a satisfactory performance in the first year. The program is structured such that four new trainees are appointed each year, with the other four trainees receiving their second year of funding. 

Pre-doctoral trainees are usually selected from the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program (IGP) or the Quantitative Chemical Biology Program (QCB). Pre-doctoral trainees are appointed to the METP in May of each year. Most trainees are selected after completing their first year in the IGP or QCB but the METP Admissions Committee will also consider applications from students with master's degrees who have been directly admitted to a preceptor’s laboratory as well as more senior IGP and QCB students who were not initially chosen for funding but have since demonstrated exceptional potential. 

In all cases an application for pre-doctoral support from the METP is made by the preceptor. The application package consists of:

  • Letter of recommendation from the preceptor
  • Description of the molecular endocrinology-related research that the trainee is likely to perform in the laboratory
  • Undergraduate GPA scores
  • Name of the school they attended

The METP Admissions Committee also considers: 

  • The relative performance of applicants relative to their peers in the core IGP & QCB classes
  • Their performance in the laboratory during research rotations
  • Their performance in the first year Molecular Aspects of Obesity and Diabetes IGP Spring Module. 

Applicants are also interviewed by the METP director and associate director.

Because the program is supported by an NIH training grant, both pre-doctoral students and post-doctoral fellows must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents to be eligible for METP support.

Please email all application materials to Dana Doss.

Post-Doctoral Trainees

Program Requirements 

Most post-doctoral trainees supported by the METP have already received a broad didactic education in molecular endocrinology prior to joining the program. However, post-doctoral trainees are encouraged to participate in the second year Molecular Endocrinology course (MPB 8327) if they are coming from a different field. 

Through the efforts of the BRET Office, post-doctoral trainees receive formal training in animal safety, biosafety, the proper use of radioisotopes, and in appropriate procedures for dealing with toxic and dangerous materials. They also have access to a formal career-counseling program. Post-doctoral fellows should already be familiar with the various topics associated with RCR and MER, however, their RCR and MER education continues at Vanderbilt under the direction of the BRET Office and the METP throughout the course of their post-doctoral training as described below. 

The requirements on the part of post-doctoral METP trainees are:

  1. Take workshops in grant writing, which are offered by the BRET Office, as required by NIH regulations.
  2. Attend and present their research to other METP trainees and preceptors at the annual METP Day retreat and, where appropriate, the Diabetes Research Day retreat.
  3. Where appropriate, they regularly attend the NIDDK-funded Vanderbilt Diabetes Research and Training Center seminar series and meet with the visiting scientists. Those trainees not performing diabetes/obesity research are strongly encouraged to attend alternate molecular endocrinology-related seminars.
  4. Form a post-doctoral trainee mentoring committee, composed of their preceptor, the METP Director and one other METP preceptor, to obtain additional feedback and guidance in their research. This committee meets every 6 months. These meetings provide additional training in RCR and MER.
  5. Participate every four years in the Introduction to RCR Symposium arranged by the BRET Office and, in addition, when requested, assist Dr. O’Brien facilitate small groups group discussions at the symposium. This RCR training supplements the training received in the laboratory and at post-doctoral trainee mentoring committee meetings.
  6. Discuss in depth with their post-doctoral mentoring committee the potential for the preparation and submission of successful applications for an individual fellowship or independent research project grant during the first year so as to further develop skills in grant writing and to attempt to obtain individual funding.
  7. Complete a minimum of two years research training to satisfy NIH payback service requirements.
  8. Complete biosafety, animal safety, environmental safety and radiation safety training, as appropriate. Links to training modules can be found on the BRET Office website.
  9. Attend the monthly trainee-run METP Data Club.

Applicant Information

The METP supports four post-doctoral trainees each year. In most cases support is provided for two years, contingent upon a satisfactory performance in the first year. The program is structured such that two new trainees are appointed each year, with the other two trainees receiving their second year of funding. Post-doctoral trainees must have a PhD degree.

The majority of post-doctoral trainees are selected having completed their graduate education at institutions other than Vanderbilt, but Vanderbilt graduates are also eligible. Post-doctoral trainees can be appointed to the METP at any time each year. 

In all cases an application for post-doctoral support from the METP is made by the preceptor. The application package consists of:

  •  Letter of recommendation from the preceptor
  • Description of the molecular endocrinology-related research that the trainee is likely to perform in the laboratory
  • Resume, which documents their GPA score at their undergraduate institution and their publications from their graduate institution
  • Letter of recommendation from their graduate mentor
  • Applicants are also encouraged to present their thesis research to members of their prospective preceptor’s laboratory and are interviewed by the METP director and/or associate director during their recruiting visit to Vanderbilt. 

Because the program is supported by an NIH training grant, both pre-doctoral students and post-doctoral fellows must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents to be eligible for METP support.

Please email all application materials to Dana Doss.