CMCR Program Objectives
The University of Pittsburgh Center for Countermeasures Against Radiation CMCR Program is seeking applications from new and established basic scientists seeking radiation biology and radiation chemistry training for the purpose of developing data suitable for application for an independent research grant (K-Award, R21, RO1). The Education and Development Core Program is primarily focused on recruiting chemists into the field of radiation biology. Therefore, ideal candidates are recent Ph.D. students initiating or seeking a postdoctoral fellowship in the fields of radiation chemistry or radiation biology. The overall Pitt-CMCR Program is focused on discovery of new radiation protectors (delivered prior to radiation) and radiation mitigators (delivered after radiation) for in vitro and in vivo testing leading to FDA approval and addition to the national stockpile for treating large numbers of exposed military or civilian populations exposed to ionizing irradiation and to use in conditions of radiation accidents or willful acts of radiation terrorism. Therefore, applicants will be screened not only for background training and expertise in chemistry, but also why they are retraining in the fields of radiation biology and radiation chemistry.
The Program:
Applicants will be assigned to one of three basic project laboratories associated with the CMCR grant. Laboratories include Drs. Joel S. Greenberger and Michael Epperly (Small Molecule Superoxide Dismutase Mimetic Molecules Designed for Radiation Protection/Mitigation), Valerian Kagan and Andrew Amoscato (Mitochondrial Cardiolipin as a Target for Radiation Protection), and James Peterson (Mitochondrial Complexes I as Targets for Radiation Protection).
Award recipients will be assigned to work in one of these laboratories, but will spend time in each of the other two laboratories while interacting with the core facilities of the Pitt-CMCR. These core facilities include: Animal model for mitochondrial-based radiation protection (Richard Chaillet, Ph.D.), Innovative medicinal chemistry (Peter Wipf, Ph.D., John Lazo, Ph.D.), (chemical synthesis of new radioprotectors (James Yeske, Ph.D.), Biostatistics (Jim Schlesselman, Ph.D.), and the Radiobiological standardization facility with in vitro and in vivo models of radiation damage (Michael Epperly, Ph.D.).
It is the goal of the Education and Development Core that Ph.D. chemists will be experienced and published radiation biologists by the completion of the first or second year of support. After such time, the award recipient can competitively apply for independent grant funding as listed above.
Application:
Applicants should send a four page application describing their previous and present work, and why they are retraining in radiation biology and related fields. A C.V. and list of all other current support should be supplied as well.
Application Deadlines:
Applications will be reviewed in the order they are received. Funding decisions will be made on or around January 1 and July 1 of each year. Applicants are encouraged to submit their materials prior to each of these semi-annual deadlines.
Funding decisions will be based on the likelihood of candidates securing adequate training (and published evidence of expertise) during the funding period. At the conclusion of this period, applicants are expected to become eligible for independent funding in radiation biology and related areas. Applicants should be able to apply for funding with a clear focus and ability to develop, screen, and optimize small molecular drugs which can target mitochondrial sites of ionizing irradiation damage in a safe, effective, and non-toxic fashion and with high specific activity.