The National Institutes of Healths General Medical Sciences Institute has awarded West Virginia University $1 million to recruit and train the next generation of biomedical and behavioral science researchers.

The research training program in behavioral and biomedical sciences pools resources and faculty expertise from WVU s existing biomedical, psychology and public health/health outcomes doctoral programs.

The money, distributed over a five-year period beginning July 1, goes toward stipends, tuition and health insurance expenses fordoctoral students. The training grant, known as a T32 , supports research to help ensure that a diverse and highly trained work force is available in the future to assume leadership roles as independent scientists in academic institutions.

Weve seen huge increases in the number of students we recruit to our biomedical sciences programs,said James ODonnell, director for the training program.This award gives us an opportunity to continue funding and recruiting some of the best biomedical and behavioral science students in the country.

ODonnell said the programs interdisciplinary nature appeals to young research students. Students have an undifferentiated first year of schooling, allowing them to work with multiple departments and faculty members before selecting a specific research topic to study.

More than 40 faculty members from the School of Medicine, School of Pharmacy and the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences serve as preceptors for the program. A faculty steering committee appoints students to the training porgram based on merit, academic qualifications, interest in behavioral research and commitment to interdisciplinary research training.

The WVU Behavioral and Biomedical Sciences Training Program is directed by Health Sciences faculty members ODonnell, Albert Berrebi, Suresh Madhavan and Kevin Larkin of the Department of Psychology.

For more information on WVU Health Sciences research and graduate education, visitwww.hsc.wvu.edu/som/resoff/.