Educating the next generation of basic and translational scientists is one of the core missions of the Wells Center. While principal investigators have a primary appointment in the Department of Pediatrics, these faculty members also hold secondary appointments in various basic science departments at IU School of Medicine. These secondary appointments permit faculty to recruit PhD and MD/PhD students to Wells Center laboratories to pursue thesis work.
Investigators play a vital role in guiding and mentoring graduate students in solving significant health care needs through basic and translational research. Most Wells Center investigators also recruit postdoctoral fellows into laboratories to focus on the primary research interests that are funded through extramural grants. These fellows have opportunities to present work at individual and group lab meetings on a weekly basis. Visiting expert speakers present on a monthly basis at a Wells Center research seminar to the benefit of all the students, post-doc fellows and faculty members.
Fellows and students are mentored in grant writing, research planning and writing of manuscripts. Most submit abstracts of work to national and international meetings where the work can be presented and fellows and students can receive feedback. In this manner, Wells Center investigators prepare and mentor the next generation of scientists that will address the ongoing medical problems that continue to plague the children around the world.
