CNRC Postdoctoral Training Program Curriculum

Learner Objectives

With first-rate mentors and advisory committees, we provide scholars with the knowledge and skills necessary for them to be successful in academia or industry, and inculcate a zest for lifetime learning.

All scholars should acquire superior:

• Oral and written communication skills
• Knowledge of state-of-the-art scientific methodologies as they relate to the nutritional sciences
• Academic skills of scientific experimentation, appropriate scientific methodologies, and writing manuscripts and grant proposals
• Ability to generate sound hypotheses
• Productivity in research and publications

Values Acquired

All scholars should acquire the following values:

• Competence: training, knowledge, empowerment, efficiency, prudence, wisdom and quality
• Confidence: trust, integrity, accountability, accuracy, loyalty, punctuality and professionalism
• Completion: goal setting, implementation, closure
• Commitment: flexibility, adaptability, dedication, teaching, initiative and exceptional service
• Courtesy: teamwork, mutual respect, listening, patience, non-judgment and humility
• Creativity: imagination, originality, thirst for knowledge and outside-the-box thinking

Requirements

Fellows in the CNRC Postdoctoral Training Program are expected to:

• Establish an advisory committee with at least three CNRC or TMC faculty members with the mentor as committee chair
• Create an Individual Development Plan and provide Biannual Status Reports on IDP and research progress signed by Postdoctoral Advisory Committee (see below)
• Present Research in Progress twice annually at the CNRC Fellows' Seminar
• Fundamentals of Clinical Investigation course which includes lectures, writing a grant proposal, and scientific paper (equally appropriate for those pursuing non-clinical investigations)
• Submit at least one grant proposal during fellowship

Formal requirements of the training program includes attendance at the following:

• Fellowship Seminar Series which includes formal presentations by CNRC fellows, didactic lectures by faculty members, and monthly journal clubs
• CNRC Faculty Seminar series, where faculty members both in the Houston Medical Center and from across the country report on their research
• Periodic meetings with the program director and staff
• Fundamentals of Clinical Investigation course which includes lectures, writing a grant proposal, and scientific paper (equally appropriate for those pursuing non-clinical investigations)

Creation of individual development plan which may include:

• Attendance at any seminars/lectures/rounds of any department at Baylor or other institution within the Texas Medical Center
• Enrollment in any of the courses offered by the Baylor Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
• Enrollment in any elective courses from the entire Baylor curriculum and those of The University of Texas, Rice University, and the University of Houston
• Goals for Fellowship and future career including a breakdown of skills to be developed
• Participation in events and seminars offered by the Career Development Center
• Participation in events and socials offered by the BCM Postdoctoral Association