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.
The IDP is a document to be revisited again and again, to update and refine as goals change or come into focus, and to record progress and accomplishments.
Unique Professional Development 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.
Career Development Meetings
Trainees participate in bi-weekly 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 academic, industry and government
- Negotiating job offers
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 the University of Chicago or University of Minnesota, in which they obtain direct experience in interviewing for a faculty position.
Fellowship Submission Support
Predoc trainees receive support submitting F31 awards, and postdocs receive support submitting for F32, F99/K00 or medical society fellowships. Trainees gain invaluable experience participating in mock study sections. Trainees are assigned as primary, secondary and tertiary reviewers, 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 given.
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.
