Newly Funded Postdoctoral Training Program Focuses on SGM Health and HIV
The Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing (ISGMH) will offer a robust new postdoctoral training program in sexual and gender minority health and HIV beginning Fall 2022.
The program is funded by a T32 grant from the National Institutes of Health and will allow ISGMH to enroll three postdoctoral fellows each year for the next five years. Fellowships are two-year appointments and include primary and secondary mentorship from faculty at ISGMH and Feinberg School of Medicine, as well as across Northwestern University.
“ISGMH has always done a wonderful job of training the next generation of scholars. This T32 will allow us to deepen our commitment to training early career researchers and, through engaging with mentors located in departments across Northwestern, to expand the scope of SGM-related health topics on which trainees can build a program of research,” said Michael Newcomb. Ph.D., director of ISGMH’s THRIVE Center and postdoctoral training programs.
With a unique focus on translational research, the Training Program in Translational Science, HIV, and Sexual and Gender Minority Health (NU-THRIVE) builds on the goals of the THRIVE Center itself.
“Our postdocs will learn to be successful translational scientists. That means having training in each of the domains of translational science from basic science discovery, including qualitative and quantitative research methods; to taking the data from those studies to develop interventions; to then eventual implementation of interventions into the community. Postdocs will come out of the NU-THRIVE training program with knowledge of the whole translational science spectrum and will have the opportunity to specialize in two translational domains,” said Newcomb.
Postdoctoral fellows in the NU-THRIVE program will gain knowledge and skills in the following eight core competencies:
- Translational science in HIV and SGM health
- Biopsychosocial drivers of HIV, mental health, and associated comorbidities
- Developmental lifespan & environmental influences on HIV, mental health, and comorbidities
- Intersectional identities, HIV, and SGM health
- Team science skills
- Ethics and responsible conduct of research
- Writing, dissemination, and grantsmanship
- Professional and career development.
“Our training program seeks equip the next generation of scholars to understand and mitigate health disparities impacting SGM people. Sexual and gender minorities experience vast health inequities, including in HIV, mental health, substance use, and physical health outcomes. To rapidly address these issues, we need skilled translational scientists who can delineate the mechanistic processes driving disparities, translate findings into interventions, and implement programs with communities,” said Newcomb.
How to Apply
Want to apply for the program? We are now accepting applications for the next academic year!
Applicants should email Dr. Michael Newcomb at newcomb@northwestern.edu with the following:
- 2-3 page cover letter that articulates your background, research program, career goals, and some mentors you may want to work with in the T32 (see below for list of potential mentors)
- 1 page diversity statement (focused on research and career development)
- CV
- 3 professional references
Review of applications will begin immediately and offers will be sent on a rolling basis.
Primary and Secondary Mentors
Applicants should note some of the primary and secondary mentors you want to work with in the cover letter. Mentors are Northwestern University faculty with expertise across the transitional science spectrum.
Primary Mentors
Lauren Beach, Nanette Benbow, Michelle Birkett, Jagadisa-devasri Dacus, Ricky Hill, Lisa Hirschhorn, Patrick Janulis, Sumanas Jordan, Dennis Li, Kathryn Macapagal, Judy Moskowitz, Brian Mustanski, Michael Newcomb, Gregory Phillips II, Elissa Sarno
Secondary Mentors
TJ Billard, Jeremy Birnholtz, C. Hendricks Brown, Inger Burnett-Ziegler, Mercedes Carnethon, Hector Carrillo, Diane Chen, Richard D’Aquila, Brian Hitsman, Emily Lattie, Thomas McDade, David Mohr, Siobhan Phillips, David Victorson, Betina Yanez
