NIMH Training Program

The primary focus of postdoctoral training is the development of research skills. For the psychiatric and statistical genetics program there is an emphasis on a broad exposure to psychiatric genetic methods together with detailed study in one or more areas that would lead to publications and grant proposals.

Core Postdoctoral Training involves supervised research under the mentorship of an experienced scientist. As postdoctoral trainees may have a variety of PhD degrees (e.g., psychology, genetics, biology, mathematics), their directed research training may have to be supplemented by formal course work or directed reading. In consultation with their primary advisor, trainees develop an individualized training program. The exceptionally rich academic environment and the wealth of funded research projects and datasets allows the trainees to select specific research projects. Supervised training under the guidance of one or more mentors constitutes 70-80% of the postdoctoral training and prepares the trainee to develop the research skills and write the first-author publications necessary to develop a reputation as an independent research scientist. In addition to the research activity and formal training, professional development of trainees is encouraged by i) attendance and presentation at major scientific meetings (e.g. American Society for Human Genetics, International Society for Psychiatric Genetics, Behavior Genetics Association, American Psychological Society) and introduction to major researchers in their fields; ii) involvement in national or international collaborations with other researchers; iii) assistance in the review of papers for journals; iv) involvement in all stages of the process of research grant development and submission, including discussion of research ideas, formulation of aims, literature review, pilot and preliminary studies, authorship, and human subjects applications; v) review and provision of feedback on first-author papers that trainees prepare for publication; and vi) presentation at research seminars.

Research Training – The primary emphasis in the program is on the application of quantitative methods to substantive psychiatric research questions. This includes detailed knowledge of the design and analysis of genetically informative studies of all types: twin, family, adoption and molecular genetic. There is also extensive use of simulation to establish the validity and efficiency of new models and methods. Some students follow a quantitative/behavioral program, while others pursue a molecular track, focusing on theory and application of models for quantitative trait or major loci. There is a trend towards more studies of the latter type both at VIPBG and nationally, and the training program is developing in the same direction, particularly with the advent of GWAS association and CNV data. However, students are exposed to both areas and are expected to be adept in both. Training is through seminars, tutorials, selected readings, attendance at lectures in other departments. The program is individually designed for the student, in accordance with their interests and chosen specialties, by the mentors, tutors, and the trainee themselves.

In addition to the exposure to the theory of statistical methods, there is strong emphasis on hands-on data analysis. Standard software packages in use include: R, SAS, Sudaan, Mathematica, OpenMx, MPlus, PLINK, PLINK/SEQ, Haploview, GCTA, EPACTS, Merlin, QTDT, Rare-Metal, JAG, Jamp, Tates, Sgene, KGG, KGGSeq, pspp, PennCNV, Eigenstrat, BayeScan and Rplinkseq; others are adopted as required. There is the possibility of a rotation in the VIPBG molecular genetics laboratory, to supplement the general introduction to the area provided by research seminars and optional courses in microbiology.

VIPBG Seminar Series – The weekly VIPBG seminar takes place on Thursdays, and is attended by faculty, postdoctoral and predoctoral students along with interested faculty and students from other departments. There is emphasis on communicating the mathematical and statistical aspects as clearly as possible, due to the diverse backgrounds of the audience. This clear communication also encourages appropriate analyses and applications by others. Further seminar-based training occurs at informal journal club and postdoctoral seminars take place. There is often about 50% hands-on component to these seminars, so that trainees learn both what the statistical methods do, and exactly how to apply them. Trainees usually undertake supervised readings of current or especially pertinent articles and books.

Departmental Seminars & Courses – The Department of Human & Molecular Genetics runs a weekly seminar series. More formal presentations are given at Psychiatric Grand Rounds. The Departments of Psychology, Biostatistics, Computer Science, Microbiology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Physiology and Biophysics, and Mathematics also run weekly research seminars, at which VIPBG pre- and postdoctoral trainees are welcome. Active participation by the trainees at the various seminar series is strongly encouraged, both as member of the audience, and as a presenter. A wide variety of statistical and data analytic courses are offered in the Departments of Biostatistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, and Statistics. The Psychology Department teaches a large array of courses pertinent to psychiatric and statistical genetics. Choice of these depends on the educational background of the postdoctoral trainee.

Clinical Exposure – Both pre-doctoral and postdoctoral trainees gain first-hand experience of clinical psychiatry through participation in walking and sitting rounds at MCV. The main focus is in affective and psychotic disorders; the trainees join the teams led by VCU Psychiatry clinical faculty for experience with both in- and out-patients. Experience to chronic patients is obtained through visits to the Central State Psychiatric Hospital, with which VCU has close ties. Trainees are paired with clinical faculty with specialties aligned to the students’ primary areas of study.

Informal Meetings with Faculty – Informal meetings occur weekly or more often as necessary and address specific research and educational issues with the candidate.

Grant Writing Training – Primary training occurs through active participation in all stages of the grant writing process with their mentors and tutors. Selected readings are used to augment this experience. In addition, trainees attend a formal course which explains the elements of writing successful proposals as well as all the administrative and signatory requirements of the university.