Endocrine and Metabolism Research Training
The University of Pittsburgh offers an integrated research training environment designed to prepare the next generation of physician-scientists and interdisciplinary investigators. Trainees benefit from a spectrum of opportunities across basic, translational, clinical, and population health research, with structured mentorship, individualized career development plans, and access to cutting-edge facilities and resources. Complementing these offerings, the Physician Scientist Incubator program specifically supports MD trainees pursuing pre-clinical research careers, providing comprehensive training in scientific, professional, and resilience skills through funding from the Burroughs Wellcome Foundation, UPMC, and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Together, these programs cultivate investigators who are well-equipped to advance biomedical knowledge, lead innovative studies, and translate discoveries into improved patient care.
T32 Research Training in Diabetes and Endocrinology
The Endocrinology & Metabolism T32 program at the University of Pittsburgh, funded by the NIDDK for over 50 years, is the longest continuously supported T32 program at the University of Pittsburgh. Designed to train the next generation of academic leaders in endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism, the program immerses postdoctoral MD and PhD trainees in interdisciplinary research spanning basic, clinical, public health, and epidemiology domains. Trainees benefit from outstanding faculty mentorship, extensive research resources, and a broad spectrum of didactic and career development opportunities, preparing them for independent scientific careers.
Each trainee develops an Individualized Career Development Plan in collaboration with a primary research mentor, which outlines research goals, career objectives, and educational activities. Trainees engage in at least one major research project – spanning basic, translational, or population health science – while participating in seminars, journal clubs, and other structured educational activities, including options for certificate or master’s programs. Trainees are expected to present their work at national meetings, publish in peer-reviewed journals, and ideally lay the foundation for future NIH grants, including F32 or K-series awards.
The program emphasizes structured professional development to ensure success in the increasingly complex research environment. Trainees gain formal training in project management, grant writing, multi-team collaboration, and responsible conduct of research, reinforced through continuous mentoring, annual progress evaluations, and regular research presentations. With a proven track record, the program supports four postdoctoral fellows per year with two- to three-year appointments, fostering a pipeline of independent investigators. Recent graduates have collectively produced numerous first-author publications, obtained competitive funding, and advanced to faculty and research leadership positions, demonstrating the program’s lasting impact on the field of endocrinology and metabolism.
For more information about this T32 program, please contact Sharon Ferderbar (saw9@pitt.edu).
Affiliated T32 programs:
Research training in Pediatric Endocrinology
Predoctoral Training in Pharmacological Sciences