ABSTRACT: 2015 ELATE Institutional Action Project Poster Symposium
Project Title: Training Next Generation of Researchers in Translational Nanomedicine
Name and Institution: Guangzhao Mao, Wayne State University
Collaborators: Juri Gelovani, Douglas Ruden, Harry Goshgarian, Wei-Zen Wei, Anthony
Shields, and Lawrence Lum
Background, Challenge or Opportunity: This institutional training proposal effort addresses
simultaneously the NIH mandate of “Strengthening the Biomedical Research Workforce”, FDA
initiative to support “Responsible Development of Nanotechnology Products”, and NSF National
Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) with recent focus on nanomanufacturing and nanotechnology
education. The major impediment for efficient translation of nanomaterials into the clinic is the
lack of experts trained in key segments of late stage, preclinical, Investigational New Drug (IND)
application-driven research. There is no current program at Wayne State University that meets
the need to train PhD students in translational nanomedicine research even though there are more
than 20 faculty members conducting research in this area. Currently PhD students are trained in
the traditional model of working formally with a single mentor and a dissertation committee of
discipline based faculty. The current model is inadequate to provide support for students in
nanomedicine. There is a disconnection between nanomedicine research and clinical translation.
There is a lack of specific training in nanomaterials pharmacology and toxicology. There is a
lack of integrated coursework that will provide key areas of translational nanomedicine training.
On the other hand, Wayne State University already has an existing model in training
undergraduate students in nanotechnology and nanoengineering with teaching modules readily
applicable to this new initiative.
Purpose/Objectives: This proposal will train a new generation of young scientists who not only
have the skills to conduct interdisciplinary nanomedicine research but also the knowledge in
experimental design and materials selection to translate laboratory results into clinical practice.
The primary objective of this interdisciplinary grant application is to train PhD students in
translational nanomedicine through an integrated curriculum that emphasizes experiential
learning and research in key segments of clinical/translational nanomedicine.
Methods/Approach: We propose the following major changes in translational nanomedicine
training program beyond the traditional disciplines: 1) an interdisciplinary dual-title curriculum
consisting of required core courses to teach key features of translational nanomedicine, 2)
interdisciplinary team mentoring of PhD trainees, 3) summer immersion/internship in clinical
labs, and 4) a capstone IND development project built into the thesis research.
Outcomes and Evaluation: The proposed program will impact 5 trainees per year selected from
10 departments and 4 colleges. We expect to implement the changes quickly because of the
strong institutional support for this initiative. Wayne State University is a recognized leader in
interdisciplinary education and student training, with federal training programs such as NIH T32
in Cancer Biology, NIH BEST, NSF AGEP, and NSF NUE. The proposed program will leverage
and complement existing programs and infrastructure as a result of these grants to address a
critical national priority of accelerating the pace of nanotechnology discoveries from the
laboratory to the clinic. The program will be evaluated by an advisory board consisting of faculty
experienced in NIH T32 training. We will evaluate outcomes on three levels: students, faculty,
and institution using formative and summative evaluation data.
Training the Next Generation of Researchers in Translational Nanomedicine
Guangzhao Mao
Professor of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan 48202
Purpose and Objectives
Challenge and Opportunity
 Major federal research initiatives
 NIH “Strengthening the Biomedical Research
Workforce”
 FDA “Responsible Development of Nanotechnology
Products”
 NSF National Nanotechnology Initiative
 Fewer than 100 nanomedicine products despite rapid
advances in basic science
 Impediment: lack of experts trained in key segments
of translational nanomedicine
 More than 20 faculty groups but no formalized
curriculum in nanomedicine at WSU
Background
 Nanotechnology: the understanding and control of
matter at the nanoscale (1-100nm)
 Nanomedicine: a branch of nanotechnology offering
nanoscale medical interventions for curing disease
or repairing tissues
 Nano-device for targeted drug delivery to spinal cord
 Nano-film for programmable gene delivery
 Strong interdisciplinary research in nanoengineering
and nanomedicine at WSU
 Train graduate students in translational
nanomedicine research
 Interdisciplinary dual title curriculum consisting of
required courses to teach key features of translational
nanomedicine
 Interdisciplinary team mentoring of PhD trainees
 Summer immersion/internships in clinical labs
 Capstone Investigational Drug Development (IND)
project built into the thesis research
Methods and Approach
Our results: T32 grant, program establishment,
enrollment, reputation
Expected Outcome and Assessment
Activities:
 Admission to the program
 Required and elective courses
 Summer clinical immersion
 Thesis research advised by a mentoring team
 Capstone IND project
Training outcomes:
 Ability to conduct translational research
 Earning a dual title PhD degree
Program outcomes:
 Increased research productivity
 Improved student enrollment and employment
 Accelerated research translation
Conclusion
Stakeholder results: training model attractive to NIH,
support/jobs for students, societal benefits
 WSU will become the leader in training the next
generation of scientists in translational and clinical
nanomedicine.
Core processes: team mentoring, dual title, capstone
projects, clinical immersion
Mentors and Collaborators

Organizational capabilities: NIH-funded faculty,
clinical collaborators, infrastructure, curriculum
Discussion
 Preliminary results and progress:
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Nanomedicine, 2013, 9, 1-14.
Presented at the 2015 ELATE®
Leaders Forum
Identified key components
Collected demographic data on student training
Assembled core faculty mentoring team
Applied and received internal support
 Anticipated impact:
 20 faculty members
 10 departments
 4 colleges
 Community
 Society
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Farshad Fotouhi, Dean, College of Engineering, Professor
of Computer Science, Wayne State University
Gloria Heppner, Associate Vice President for Research,
Wayne State University
Larry Matherly, Director, NIH T32 Cancer Biology
Graduate Program, Wayne State University
Juri Genovani, Professor and Chair, Department of
Biomedical Engineering, Wayne State University
Acknowledgments
http://www.cafepress.com
Lorrie Cranor, Carnegie Mellon U.
Dan Jiao, Purdue U.
Borjana Mikic, Smith College
Laura Ray, Dartmouth U.
Risa Robinson, RIT
Margaret Wheatley, Drexel U.
For feedback and support