28 Jul Announcing the New 2021 ITHS TL1 Cohort
The TL1 program at ITHS is delighted to welcome their new 2021 cohort. This year the cohort is composed of 16 outstanding investigators with very exciting projects. Meet our 2021-2022 new cohort.
What’s the TL1 Program about?
The ITHS TL1 Program is a one-year mentored research training program for predoctoral students. This program creates a cross-disciplinary community and provides Trainees with specific training, career development opportunities, and team science skills to help them function effectively within translational science teams. The TL1 Program is open to applicants from all disciplines and backgrounds who meet the eligibility criteria.
Through a combination of thoughtful mentorship, interdisciplinary interaction, and focused training, TL1 Trainees receive the career development tools they need to become impactful translational researchers. By the end of their year in the program, all Trainees will feel confident in their ability to further their translational research careers. This program is sponsored by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS), a center of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
What to expect?
In a conversation with the 2020-2021 cohort alumni, Benjamin P. Sullivan, BS, MS and Graduate Student in Mechanical Engineering, he was happy to share some advice for those thinking about applying to this program next year or just starting it. “The TL1 program was a fantastic experience and something I would highly recommend to any student interested in advancing their research along the translational pathway.” He continued in more detail, “I was really impressed with the breadth of student backgrounds, ranging from basic benchtop science to implementation work, which led to really invaluable discussions and feedback about my work, while exposing me to how other fields approach problems and challenges.”
Lastly, he concluded, “The ITHS team also does a great job at bringing in speakers that address all aspects of translational research, providing great resources and networking opportunities. The TL1 program pushes students outside their typical familiar research areas. There is so much that I’ve learned through my time as an ITHS fellow that I never would have encountered otherwise, and I feel much better equipped to make my research all the more impactful. My advice to anybody on the fence about applying – do it!”
There is so much that I’ve learned through my time as an ITHS fellow that I never would have encountered otherwise, and I feel much better equipped to make my research all the more impactful
Benjamin’s experience was entirely online as it was during the pandemic and still, he had an enriched experience, just as if it had been in-person; that’s how comprehensive this program is.
Changes in the TL1 Program Leadership
Earlier this summer, Dr. Linda LeResche, the TL1 Program Faculty Co-Director, Professor Emeritus, Department of Oral Medicine, School of Dentistry and Arcora Foundation Distinguished Professor in Dentistry, retired. Her contributions to building this solid program are immeasurable. She co-directed this program for 12 years along with Joie Whitney, PhD, CWCN, FAAN, Professor, Emeritus Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Informatics. “It was truly a pleasure to work with Linda to develop the program to its current form. We forged a strong partnership and co-directing the program with Linda was one of the most rewarding experiences of my academic career,” shared Dr. Whitney.
In her place, Hilaire Thompson, PhD, RN, ARNP, CNRN, AGACNP-BC, FAAN will take over this incredible task to lead and develop the future clinical investigators. Dr. Thompson is Professor, Department of Biobehavioral Nursing and Health Informatics, Adjunct Professor, Biomedical Informatics and Medical Education, and a recipient of the Joanne Montgomery Endowed Professorship in Nursing. Dr. Whitney shared: “I have known Hilaire for many years now, watched her as she successfully moved from post-doc to professor. She is ideal for the TL1. I’m looking forward to having Hilaire on board this year and working with her and the other incoming co-directors to plan the future UW & MSU TL1 program.”
I’m looking forward to having Hilaire on board this year and working with her and the other incoming co-directors to plan the future UW & MSU TL1 program
Dr. Whitney brings many strengths to the TL1, including a successful program of research and experience as a mentor to graduate students. She has had extensive experience leading NIH funded T32s, academic program administration, clinical practice and research. ITHS gladly welcomes Dr. Thompson to the TL1 leadership team.
To learn more about the ITHS TL1 Program, please visit here.
