Postdoctoral Research Training Program - University of Colorado School of Medicine, Anschutz Medical Campus

"Developmental Psychopathology, Psychobiology, and Behavior"
Program Director: Randy Ross, MD, Scientific Director: Mark Laudenslager, PhD
Clinical, Basic, and Translational Neuroscience

A combined effort of the Departments of Psychiatry, Pediatrics, Neurology and School of Public Health at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus along with Departments of Psychology & Social Work at Denver University, University of Colorado Boulder, and Colorado State University offers postdoctoral research training for MDs and PhDs for research careers in developmental psychobiology, with special emphasis on the development of maladaptive behavior. This multidisciplinary, multi-institutional translational program has a long history of involvement in developmental research. The Developmental Psychobiology Research Group (DPRG) includes researchers with productive career involvement as independent investigators of developmental research techniques, some of which are technologically unique. Subject populations have ranged from humans through murine and zebrafish models to neuronal and glial cell cultures. Twenty members of this group serve as the faculty for this research training program (funded by NIMH T32MH015442). Because of its setting, problems with clinical relevance are continually in the forefront.

PROGRAM: A two-year training program is offered which includes a Core Curriculum to be completed by all trainees, seminar participation and individual research in one or more faculty laboratories. Research Training organizes around the identification, causes, natural progression, and treatment of developmental psychopathology. A particular emphasis of training is the development of multispecialty collaborations allowing for synergistic basic and clinical approaches to research. Training options are available in basic and molecular, biomarkers, genetics, neuroimaging, epidemiology, phenomenology, treatment, and prevention sciences for a variety of developmental psychiatric disorders including ADHD, aggression, conduct disorder, anxiety, autism, bipolar, depression, eating disorders, schizophrenia, and substance abuse. A variety of vulnerable and minority populations-including pregnant women, children in foster care, children with co-morbid medical illnesses, Native Americans, and Hispanic subjects-of varying ages, including pregnant women, infants, preschoolers, children, adolescents, and young adults-participate in our research programs. Training for transition to research independence, including manuscript preparation and grant submission, are incorporated into the program.

PROGRAM TOPICS & FACULTY:
Vulnerable infants and/or children: Prenatal/early origins of health and development (Elysia Poggi Davis, PhD); Brain imaging in eating disorders and in impulsive aggression in youth (Guido Frank, MD); Psychoneuroendocrinology/immunology of behavioral development (Mark Laudenslager, PhD); Childhood intervention in American Indian & Alaska Native populations (Nancy Whitesell, PhD); Randomized controlled efficacy trial of a preventive intervention for maltreated youth in out-of-home care (Heather Taussig, PhD); Stress, sleep, and behavior in preschool children (Sarah Watamura, PhD); The biological basis of callous unemotional traits (Joseph Sakai, MD); Genetic influences on behavior: Clinical epidemiology and behavior genetics of conduct disorder (Christian Hopfer, MD); Molecular and cellular mechanisms of genetic susceptibility to severe psychiatric disorders (Amanda Law, PhD); Animal models of Downs syndrome and Autism (Ken Maclean, PhD); ); The role of glial cell genetic variants in establishing and maintaining functional neural circuits (Bruce Appel, PhD); Developmental aspects of psychosis: Understanding brain development in both developmental disorders and psychotic illnesses (Don Rojas, PhD); Perinatal and school age precursors to schizophrenia (Randy Ross, MD); the development of neuropathology in schizophrenia, using fMRI (Jason Tregellas, PhD); Autism: Cellular mechanisms by which early life seizures (ELS) subvert the processes of normal neuronal development (Tim Benke, MD, PhD); Development of core symptoms of autism; comorbidity; effectiveness of psychosocial interventions (Susan Hepburn, PhD); Treatment trials for children & adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (Judy Reaven, PhD); Other: Cognitive neuroscience and human neuropsychology (Marie Banich, PhD); Dissemination & Implementation Science of psychopharmacological interventions (Elaine Morrato, DrPH). Senior Advisory Group: Robert Emde, MD, Marshall Haith, PhD, Sherry Leonard, PhD, Bruce Pennington, PhD, Martin Reite, MD, Karen Stevens, PhD, and Marianne Wamboldt, MD

APPLICATION: Please visit www.dprgpostdoc.org for summaries of the training faculty's research and application requirements. Potential applicants should first contact the proposed mentor to ensure availability for sponsorship and work with mentor in preparation of the application. Contact information is included in the faculty descriptions. For general information, email [email protected]

Levels of Support: Levels of support will be consistent with stipends supplied by and subject to change by NIH, subject to change (Levels determined by years of relevant postdoctoral experience, level 0 when degree granted):

Level 0     $43,692
Level 1     $45,444
Level 2     $47,268
Level 3     $49,152
Level 4     $51,120
Level 5     $53,160
Level 6     $55,296
Level 7     (7 or more years) $57,504

Individuals who will have completed a doctoral degree before the start date are eligible to apply. Physicians, including Child Psychiatrists, and individuals from groups underrepresented among scientific researchers are particularly encouraged to apply.

DEADLINE: JANUARY 2, 2017 for positions starting summer, 2017*
* Contingent upon renewed funding