The Metabolism and Nutrition Training Program (MANTP) develops unique professional development opportunities through our “LaunchPad” program. LaunchPad provides individualized, in-depth training in:
- Oral and written communication
- Grantsmanship
- Job interviewing
- Research mentoring
A key aspect of LaunchPad is developing trainees’ real-world career skills while promoting a scientific community that reflects society and ensures all voices contribute to scientific progress.
Individual development plans
Trainees receive personalized career mentoring from MANTP faculty trainers to formulate an individual development plan (IDP). IDPs allow informed decisions about career paths, a faster time-to-degree for predoc trainees, and a more fluid transition to independence for postdoc trainees.
Career development meetings
Trainees participate in biweekly LaunchPad meetings focused on unique aspects of career development. Invited experts in their fields will cover topics such as maintaining an effective IDP; manuscript writing; preparing for F and/or K fellowships; research mentoring; preparing for job applications and interviews; presenting outstanding PowerPoint and chalk talks; responsible conduct of research; career options in academia, industry and government; and negotiating job offers. Trainees and trainers are welcome to make additional topic suggestions.
Unique PD support
Each trainee receives $1000 per year to support unique professional development activities. Past trainees have taken Strategies and Techniques for Analyzing Microbial Population Structures (STAMPS) at Marine Biological Lab, courses at Cold Spring Harbor Lab, and the Isotope Tracers course at Vanderbilt University.
Fellowship submission support
Predoc trainees receive support submitting F31 awards, and postdocs receive support submitting for F32, F99/K00, or medical society fellowships. Trainees experience invaluable experience participating in mock study sections. Trainees are assigned as primary, secondary, and tertiary reviewers and review their peers’ applications using the NIH F-type review forms, and participate in a study section run like an NIH panel. MANTP trainees have a strong track record of having F and K awards scored or awarded.
Communication skills training
Trainees participate in a wide variety of activities geared toward improving oral and written communication skills. Trainees give annual oral research progress presentations and participate in multiple symposiums, journal clubs, and poster sessions on campus. Several writing workshops and formal courses are available to improve trainees’ science communication skills.
Networking and career counseling
Trainees have multiple opportunities to interact with world-renowned nutrition and metabolism experts. Invited speakers from academia, industry, and government meet with trainees for networking breakfasts to discuss their career paths and provide insights and advice to young scientists. Postdoc trainees participate in an exchange visit with partnering T32 programs at U. Chicago or U. Minnesota, in which they obtain direct experience in interviewing for a faculty position.
What are trainees saying?
“MANTP created a path for me to think critically and build independence as a researcher.”
-Trainee survey respondent
“MANTP exposed me to different scientists and trainees in the field. Learning about their science and reading their grant applications helped me improve my critical thinking ability.”
-Trainee survey respondent
“The interactions with other trainees, invited speakers, and faculty contributed positively to my independence and experimental design abilities.”
-Trainee survey respondent
“I am very grateful to MANTP for helping me secure an F32! The mock study sections provided invaluable feedback that helped me identify and improve weak spots in my research and training plans.”
-Lauren Lucas
The Metabolism and Nutrition Training Program (MANTP) is supported by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases of the National Institutes for Health under award number 2T32DK007665.