About Our Program

The University of Wisconsin Hematology Research Training Program trains MD and PhD candidates to become independent investigators in hematology. The program is tailored to each trainee's career goals, emphasizes multidisciplinary approaches in both basic and clinical research, and provides instruction in the responsible conduct of science.

We strongly encourage underrepresented minorities to apply for pre- and post-doctoral training positions.

This program is funded by a National Institutes of Health (NIH)/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Kirschstein National Research Service Award (T32 HL07899).

How to Apply

Requirements

Predoctoral positions:

  • Admission to a graduate program at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • Commitment to a laboratory within a PhD or MD-PhD program
  • Must be U.S. citizen or permanent resident (green card)

Postdoctoral Positions:

  • Possess MD, PhD, MD-PhD or equivalent degree
  • Commitment to 2 years of training
  • Payback obligation incurred during the initial 12 months of support
  • Must be U.S. citizen or permanent resident (green card)
Application Process

Send a letter of inquiry describing your career goals, your CV, and the additional materials below to:

John P. Sheehan, MD, Principal Investigator
c/o David Smith
600 Highland Ave. Box: 5669
Madison, WI 53792
Email: dsmith@medicine.wisc.edu

Additional required application materials:

Predoctoral positions:

  • Nominating letter from a Training Faculty member
  • Brief statement of research interests (1 page)
  • GRE or MCAT scores
  • Undergraduate and graduate transcripts

Postdoctoral positions:

  • Nominating letter from a Training Faculty member
  • Letters of recommendation (2)
  • Brief statement of research interests/career plan (1-2 pages)

Current Fellows

Post-doctoral trainee
Mentor: Jane Churpek, MD, MS

Pre-doctoral trainee
Mentor: David Beebe, PhD

Post-doctoral trainee
Mentor: Daniel Matson, MD, PhD

Pre-doctoral trainee
Mentor: Joshua Coon, PhD

Pre-doctoral trainee
Mentor: Emery Bresnick, PhD

Leadership

Program Director

Faculty Mentors

Program Details

Areas of Emphasis

Our program emphasizes pre- and post-doctoral training in vascular biology and hematopoetic stem cells and malignancy. Vascular biology is critically important for human disease, impacting such basic processes as inflammation, the immune response, hemostasis, thrombosis, and metastasis.

We have assembled expertise in cellular and molecular aspects of hemostasis, extracellular matrix biology, vasculogenesis/angiogenesis, cellular mechanisms of inflammation, the genetics of diabetes, lipoprotein metabolism, and clinical aspects if hemophilic and thrombophilic states.

Likewise, hematopoetic stem cells are important to therapeutic approaches in a variety of disease states, and the University of Wisconsin is an internationally recognized leader in embryonic stem cell biology.

We provide the multidisciplinary training required to pursue translational research opportunities, and formal training for clinical investigators.

Clinical trainees may take advantage of the NIH-funded UW Institute for Clinical & Translational Research (ICTR), which provides didactic training in biostatistics, epidemiology, clinical trial design, and practical skills such as scientific and grant writing.

Individual Development Plan (IDP)

All trainees should complete an Individual Development Plan (IDP). This tool helps you:

  • assess your current skills and strengths
  • make a plan for developing skills that will help you meet both your academic and professional goals
  • communicate with your advisors and mentors about your evolving goals and related skills

See also: "NIH Encourages Institutions to Develop Individual Development Plans for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Researchers"

Related Facilities and Programs

Research Facilities:

Education Programs:

UW Health Bone Marrow Transplant Program