Cardiology Training Programs
At VCU Health Pauley Heart Center, our world-class team takes each patient’s heart health personally. Building on our history of innovation in patient care, scientific discovery, diversity and collaboration, we improve cardiovascular care for all, while continuously training the next generation of healthcare providers. Directed by Dr. Greg Hundley, Pauley is an internationally recognized cardiac and vascular service leader. Established in 1838, VCU Medical Center continues to be central Virginia’s only academic medical center.
Below you will find information on the training programs offered by the Division of Cardiology.
NHLBI T32 Training Program
Division of Cardiology
Recently, VCU Division of Cardiology was awarded the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) T32 Multi-disciplinary Training Program in Translational Cardiovascular Research for an M.D. and Ph.D. investigators. These two separate fellowships will augment the supply of physicians and scientists capable of developing new advances in multi- disciplinary translational cardiovascular research directed toward the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease, a major public health issue.
Designed as a 2-3 year training program, these investigators will gain deep research experience under the mentorship of a senior VCU Cardiology faculty member who represents a diverse selection of Departments.
Some areas of interest include (but are not limited to):
- Cardiotoxicity related to cancer therapy
- Role of inflammation in acute myocardial infarction and heart failure
- Cardiovascular pathophysiology in the context of metabolic disease
- Mechanisms of myocardial protection in ischemia/reperfusion injury
- Mitochondrial biology as it relates to heart injury and the aged heart
- Nanoengineering novel platforms for therapeutic delivery of miRNA in cardiopulmonary disease
- Molecular and cellular mechanisms of electrical remodeling in diseased hearts
- Development of computational models to study electrical signaling in cardiac electrophysiology
The NHLBI T32 Training Program application posting is: https://www.vcujobs.com/postings/102925.
Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship
Pauley Heart Center
Pauley Heart Center 2021 Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship
The VCU Health Pauley Heart Center invites undergraduate students to apply for a 10-week mentored research fellowship, in which students will be paired with a Sponsor (faculty mentor) and take part in a cardiovascular research project. The purpose of this fellowship is to provide undergraduate students with an introduction and insight to the conduct of translational multi-disciplinary cardiovascular research. By the end of this fellowship, students will develop cardiovascular disease research skills through experiential learning with the goal of applying this experience to future research opportunities and post-graduate careers in cardiovascular research. Students will prepare and present a poster summarizing their research findings at the end of the program.
Please note: Due to the uncertain circumstances presented by COVID-19, the current expectation is that this program will be executed virtually. If any onsite components become possible, accepted applicants will be notified accordingly.
Program Dates
May 24 to July 30, 2021
Stipend
Students will receive a stipend of $4,000.
Eligibility Requirements
This fellowship is open to full-time undergraduate students classified at junior- or senior- academic status at the time of application from a 4-year college or university. Racial and ethnic groups that are underrepresented in science are strongly encouraged to apply.
Application Requirements
- Application closed
- Applications will be due February 14, 2021.
- Applicants will be provided a list of faculty mentors and their projects and will be required to rank their top three choices of projects to be paired with for the summer. See a list of summer 2021 projects »
The application will consist of two parts:
1. The following documents must be uploaded to the application portal:
Note: that the application form will require you to upload the following documents:
- Personal statement (1-page max, single-spaced) addressing the following questions:
- Explain your interest in cardiovascular research and this program.
- How do your skills and experiences prepare you to be successful in completing the proposed research duties?
- Describe a challenge you have faced and how you overcame it.
- In what ways will this research fellowship help you in advancing your academic, career, and/or professional goals?
- Transcripts from all undergraduate institutions you have attended (unofficial copy)
2. Letters of recommendation
- Two letters of recommendation are required using the Recommender Writer Form. Recommenders must email their completed forms to pauley.undergradfellowship@vcuhealth.org by 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 14, 2021.
Sponsor-student Interviews and Joint Application
If you are a good match for this program, a Sponsor will contact you in late February to set up an interview. Once a Sponsor decides on a top student candidate, the Sponsor-student pair will then submit a project proposal together to the Director of the Pauley Heart Center to compete for funds.
Five project proposals will be chosen to be funded. Sponsor-student pairs will be notified of award in mid/late March.
All application materials, including letters of recommendation, must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 14, 2021. Any questions can be directed to pauley.undergradfellowship@vcuhealth.org.