The Improving HEalth Across the Lifespan (iHEAL) Training Program aims to cultivate the next generation of nurse scientists who can address a wide variety of health challenges through lenses of health disparities, social determinants of health, population and community health, prevention and health promotion, and systems and models of care. Through high-quality mentorship, experiential learning, and required coursework, pre- and postdoctoral trainees will acquire in-depth knowledge about transdisciplinary healthy living research, research ethics, professional development, and leadership skills.

We are committed to providing solid, interdisciplinary training to all our trainees. Our training program has three components: expert mentoring, experiential learning, and required coursework. Trainees will receive individualized support from a mentorship team selected for their prior successful mentoring experience and strong research track records. Experiential learning activities will center on mentored research and Health Engagement Research Observerships (HERO). Trainees will also write a grant proposal, design and conduct their own research study, and disseminate their work via peer-reviewed publications and presentations at scientific conferences. The iHEAL T32 training program will equip trainees with research skills that can be applied across the region and the nation wherever populations are exposed to the challenges of rural location, poverty, or other sources of disadvantage that threaten the opportunities for healthy living across the lifespan.