Career Development and Training Opportunities.

The NIEHS announces the availability of support for career development and training awards to increase the cadre of scientists working in areas of particular importance to the NIEHS.

Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award (K23) and Midcareer Investigator Award in Patient-Oriented Research (K24)

These two awards support the career development of clinically trained investigators who are committed to focusing their research endeavors on patient-oriented research in the environmental health sciences. For the purposes of this award, patient-oriented research is defined as research conducted with human subjects (or on material of human origin, such as tissues, specimens, or cognitive phenomena) in which an investigator directly interacts with human subjects.

Individual Postdoctoral Fellowships in Genomics and Related Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications Topics

These awards will provide scientists with the multidisciplinary skills that will enable them to engage in research to accomplish the short- and long-term objectives of the Environmental Genome Project and to take full advantage of the resulting genomic data and resources to solve biomedical and bioethical problems. Broad areas of research that are relevant include genomic analysis (including technology development) and the ethical, legal, and social implications of human genetics research.

National Research Service Awards Institutional Training Grants in Genomic Analysis and Interpretation

Molecular biology and molecular genetics have become essential tools in environmental toxicology as understanding the biological processes at the molecular level has enabled the study of the mechanisms of action of many toxic compounds. The issue of differential sensitivity among individuals within a population and the identification of genes whose expression contributes to increased sensitivity or resistance to toxic environmental agents in humans has become a priority. The purpose of this program announcement is to train scientists who have the appropriate multidisciplinary expertise to develop new approaches and tools to study the interplay of environmental exposures and population genetics. For example, individuals with a background in genetics, molecular biology, biochemistry, structural biology, epidemiology, computational and statistical sciences, or nonbiological disciplines relevant to genomic sciences who can expand their research capabilities are needed to evaluate the complex gene--environment interactions resulting from multiple exposures and from the variability in susceptibility resulting from polymorphisms in multiple genes.

For more information, contact Carol Shreffler, e-mail: [e-mail].