The Translational Research Training in Hematology (TRTH) award gives young researchers the tools, mentoring and access to resources beneficial for a successful career in hematology. The program focuses on translational research, e.g. pathogenesis, diagnostics, and experimental treatment of hematological disorders and will include specific scientific methodology adapted to the needs of the participants as well as more general subjects with relevance for planning and pursuing a project.

The European Hematology Association (EHA) and the American Society of Hematology (ASH) Translational Research Training in Hematology (TRTH) program is a three-part, year-long education and mentoring program that prepares hematologists for highly productive careers in translational research.

Twenty early-career scientists will be selected to participate in this rigorous training course. The faculty is made up of international leaders in hematology who will cover the areas of biostatistics and biomarkers, genetics and molecular biology, ethics, and phase I clinical study design. This unique program provides multiple opportunities for networking and mentoring through personalized instruction in the skills required for a successful translational research career in hematology.

Target Group

TRTH is geared toward postdoctoral medical, biomedical and pharmaceutical translational scientists who are at an early stage of their career. Applicants should have less than 12 years of post MD training or less than 8 years of post-PhD training. Applicants must be an active member of EHA and/or ASH. Applicants who have been accepted to CRTI and are still within the CRTI year (August-May), are not eligible to apply for the TRTH program until after they have completed the CRTI term.

Translational Research

The focus of the program is on laboratory-based translational research. The proposals must be hypothesis driven and directly connected to some aspect of human biology. Projects may encompass any form of cellular, molecular, structural, biochemical, genetic, or other appropriate experimental approach using human biological material or human subjects with the aim of reaching novel insights into human biology. Pilot and early phase clinical studies translating the laboratory discoveries “to the bedside” may be included in the proposal; however, pure clinical trial projects with laboratory correlatives will not be prioritized.

Educational Objectives

Participants will have the opportunity to:

• Understand the principles of translational research design and execution
• Detail the ethical and regulatory issues of translational research
• Learn the fundamentals of competitive grant writing, abstract presentation, and manuscript preparation
• Further develop and improve the quality of their own research proposals through input from faculty and peers
• Learn strategies for pursuingand developing a successful career in hematology research
• Develop contacts with other participants to facilitate collaboration
• Meet leaders in translational and clinical research who can enhance networking opportunities for career development

Curriculum

Highlights of the curriculum include:

• Instruction in a broad range of topics covering all aspects of laboratory techniques and skills required for translational research
• Instruction in designing and executing clinical trials with correlative science objectives, including principles of statistics and bioinformatics
• Discussion of approaches for forming and sustaining a multi-disciplinary translational research team;
• Recommendations for maximizing mentoring and networking
• Tips for securing research funding
• Practice in the skills necessary for presenting your work to diverse audiences
• Advice on preparing research results for publication

Spring Course

The program begins with an intensive week-long course held in Marbella Spain from March 19-25, 2011. In the mornings, didactic and interactive sessions are dedicated to furthering participants’ understanding of translational research methodology and regulatory requirements. Afternoons are devoted to small group sessions in which participants meet with their workshop mentors to refine their individual research proposals. Informal presentations by leaders in hematology research, designed to illustrate the variety of pathways to a successful career in hematology research, take place in the evenings.

This spring course includes the following components:

• Principles of translational research. An overview of methodologies for designing and executing clinical research studies with laboratory correlatives will be presented. Topics will include stem cell research and animal models, live cell and in vivo imaging, flow cytometry, cell therapy, cell and biobanking, design of clinical trials, principles of bioinformatics, molecular pathogenesis including genetics and epigenetics, pharmacogenomics, diagnostics and biomarkers, and identification of molecular targets.
• Ethics in hematologic translational research. Discussions will focus on ethical and regulatory issues in Europe and North America related to translational research. Topics will include good clinical practice (GCP), quality care assurance, good manufacturing practice (GMP), relationships with the pharmaceutical and biotech industry, and intellectual property.
• Career retrospectives from leading hematologists with a broad experience in translational research. Hematology pioneers will speak about their personal and career challenges and successes, and maintaining a work-life balance.
• Small-group working sessions for research project protocol refinement. Participants and faculty will work together in groups to review and improve individual research project proposals.
• Trainees’ presentation of their research proposals. Trainees will present their proposals at the beginning of the course; at the end, they will present revised proposals that incorporate the changes made throughout the week.

Follow-Up Meetings

Two follow-up meetings provide additional opportunities for interaction with peers and mentors. The first takes place during the EHA annual congress in June, where trainees and faculty will continue to refine projects through small group mentoring sessions. The final session is held in conjunction with the ASH annual meeting in December. In this session the trainees will present updates on the progress of their projects and careers since the conclusion of the spring course.

How to Apply

Letters of intent for the 2011 application cycle will be due on September 1, 2010. Those who have fulfilled the letter-of-intent requirements will be invited to apply, and applications are due by October 1, 2010. The application form is available on the EHA website. Please follow the application instructions provided.

Applicants must submit a comprehensive translational research project proposal relevant to hematology. The research will be evaluated on the importance of the hypothesis and specific aims, originality, the clarity and feasibility of the experimental plan, and funding for the project. Applicants should also submit their curriculum vitae, letter of support from their mentor, and a career-development plan. Proficiency in English is required.

By applying to the TRTH program, applicants agree that they will participate in all three sessions and respond to follow-up surveys in the future. In addition they agree to sign a confidentiality statement with respect to all information provided at the program.

There is no registration or application fee. Participants' food and hotel costs for the spring course are covered by EHA and ASH. Participants will receive two nights hotel per follow-up meeting. A fixed travel budget of up to 750 Euros per meeting will be provided based on economy class airfare. Any additional hotel nights and airfare above the stipend amount shall be paid by the participants or their institute.

Note: If there are special circumstances regarding the participant's or institute's ability to cover any additional costs, applicants are still encouraged to apply and the mentor should include an addendum that explains the financial difficulty that exists.

All applications must be submitted electronically. Please send completed applications to training@ehaweb.org. A study section will review all eligible applications.

Timeline

Questions?

For more information, please contact the EHA Executive Office at training@ehaweb.org or +31 (0)70 302 0299.

back to top