EHA-ASH Translational Research Training in Hematology (TRTH) program 

A unique, nine-month-long training and mentoring experience designed to help early-career researchers build a successful career in Translational Research.

Course overview

The TRTH program includes an intensive week-long course held in the spring (the Spring Course) and year-long mentoring interaction with experts in the field. Mornings are dedicated to research seminar-style interactive sessions on translational and basic science research methodology, cutting-edge technology, and career development. Afternoons are devoted to small group sessions in which participants meet with their TRTH mentors, peers, and faculty to refine their individual research proposals and hone their scientific presentation and communication skills. Informal presentations by leaders in hematology, designed to illustrate the variety of pathways to a successful career in blood-related lab-based research, take place in the evenings. After this initial course, follow-up mentoring meetings occur throughout the year at the annual EHA Congress and ASH meetings.

During the Spring Course, mornings are dedicated to research seminar-style interactive sessions on translational and basic science research methodology, cutting-edge technology, and career development. Afternoons are devoted to small group sessions in which participants meet with their TRTH mentors, peers, and faculty to refine their individual research proposals and hone their scientific presentation and communication skills. Informal presentations by leaders in hematology, designed to illustrate the variety of pathways to a successful career in blood-related, lab-based research, take place in the evenings. After this initial course, follow-up mentoring meetings occur throughout the year at the annual EHA and ASH meetings.

Spring Course

The Spring Course includes the following main components:

  • Principles of translational and basic science research: Participants will discuss methodologies for designing and executing clinical research studies with laboratory correlatives. Topics include stem cell research, animal models, live cell and in vivo imaging, flow cytometry, cell therapy, cell and biobanking, clinical trial design, principles of bioinformatics, molecular pathogenesis (including genetics, gene editing and epigenetics), pharmacogenomics, diagnostics and biomarkers, and identification of molecular targets.
  • Ethics in hematologic translational and basic science research: Discussions focus on ethical and regulatory issues in Europe and North America related to translational and basic science research. Topics include good clinical practice, quality care assurance, good manufacturing practice, relationships with the pharmaceutical and biotech industry, and intellectual property.
  • Career development insight: Career retrospectives are provided from leading hematologists with broad experience in translational and basic science research. Hematology pioneers speak about their personal and career challenges and successes as well as maintaining a work-life balance.
  • Breakout group sessions: These daily sessions enable participants to refine their research projects with each other and faculty. The sessions allow participants to forge bonds for collaboration and in-depth improvements of their research proposals.
  • Presentation of research proposals: The course begins with participants sharing their initial research proposals. On the final day of the program, they present updated proposals that reflect the adjustments made during the week.

Learning objectives

TRTH offers trainees the opportunity to:

  • Discuss the principles of translational and basic science research design and execution.
  • Recognize the ethical and regulatory issues of translational and basic science research.
  • Examine the fundamentals of competitive grant writing, abstract presentation, and manuscript preparation.
  • Improve the quality of research proposals through input from faculty and peers.
  • Formulate strategies for pursuing and developing a successful career in hematology and blood-related research.
  • Discuss approaches to forming and sustaining a multi-disciplinary translational and basic science research team.
  • Practice preparing research results and efficiently presenting it to diverse audiences.
  • Network and develop relationships with other participants to facilitate future collaboration.
  • Develop relationships with leaders in translational, basic science, and clinical research who can enhance professional networking opportunities.

Questions?

For more information, please contact [email protected].

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