The goal of the Cellular Approaches to Tissue Engineering and Regeneration (CATER) training program is to provide a solid foundation upon which to build a productive independent career in cellular- and tissue-based therapy for human disease and injury. This goal is accomplished via a highly coordinated and mentored interdisciplinary training program with a combination of required and elective courses, research activities, and specialized training opportunities. The Training Program incorporates faculty from the Swanson School of Engineering (SOE), the McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, and the School of Medicine (SOM). The trainees belong to the graduate programs in Bioengineering at the Swanson School of Engineering or the Interdisciplinary Biomedical Graduate Program (IBGP) at the School of Medicine, at the University of Pittsburgh. The trainees are instructed in the fundamental biological and physical concepts in stem cell biology, cell therapy, angiogenesis, tissue regeneration, extracellular matrix biology, tissue engineering, inflammation, scaffolds and biomaterials to build a solid foundation in Regenerative Medicine. This combination of training faculty research interests, coursework, and special activities customized for the trainees of the CATER program provide a rich educational experience and diverse training opportunities that go beyond what can be obtained within the individual university departments. The CATER training environment enables students to blur the lines between independent disciplines, facilitating true interdisciplinary research, which is at the heart of regenerative medicine and is essential for novel, innovative, and creative ideas.
As described in greater detail under mechanisms and criteria, students enter the CATER training program typically at the start of the second or third year of graduate school. At this point the student will have passed the first-year core requirements from either the IBGP or Bioengineering program and selected a laboratory and mentor for their thesis project. Because CATER training faculty reside in multiple departments within the university and school of medicine, and the CATER program is not central to any one department, students are permitted a much wider choice of options with which to pursue a PhD in regenerative medicine. In the current departmental focus of graduate education, a PhD student in the Bioengineering department who wishes to perform thesis research in a laboratory in the Pathology department finds many departmental-based administrative roadblocks in his/her path. The CATER program eliminates these roadblocks and permits ever increasing educational options for the students and research collaborations. It should be noted that as long as a student follows the program they can request that a mentor outside the current training faculty to join the CATER training faculty.
Program Structure/Matrix:
The CATER training program is directed by Dr. Satdarshan (Paul) Monga. Dr. Monga is assisted by co-Director, Dr. William R. Wagner, and Assistant Director, Dr. Andy Duncan. Together they are responsible for the overall coordination of the program, for ensuring that the multiple departments and schools work together effectively, and for overseeing the program’s administration and day-to-day operation.
Program Committees:
Drs. Monga and Wagner are assisted in the administration of the Training Program by advisory council members who provide ongoing critical evaluation of the program and its trainees. Overall program guidance for CATER is performed by an Executive Committee, which includes the chairs of the standing committees.
Executive Committee:
Overall program guidance for CATER is performed by an Executive Committee which includes the chairs of the standing committees that meet on a quarterly basis. Interfacing with the Executive committee is a small group of standing committees.
| Chair: | Satdarshan ‘Paul’ Singh Monga, MD, Department of Pathology |
| Co-Chair: | William R. Wagner, PhD, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine |
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Overall program guidance for CATER is under the auspices of the Executive Committee, comprised of 7 faculty (including the standing committees chairs). The Executive Committee meets every 6 months. One meeting is at the annual McGowan Institute retreat. Additional meetings have also occurred more frequently as necessitated by special issues or when requested by Dr. Monga.
Curriculum Committee:
| Chair: | William R. Wagner, PhD, McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine |
Ad hoc members: course Directors of the required and elective classes
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The Curriculum Committee assesses the existing CATER curriculum and various CATER course syllabi and content. Past CATER students (one each from Bioengineering and IBGP) serve on the committee, and they help manage the process of fine-tuning the courses to balance course load and time for bench research. Based on feedback from trainees, from the EAC, and on advances in regenerative medicine field, the Curriculum Committee recommends to the Executive Committee changes in course structure or course syllabi. This committee also approves any changes in directorship of various required/elective CATER courses. The committee meets once a year, or anytime at the request of the director.
Trainee Admission and Evaluation Committee:
| Chair: | Harvey S. Borovetz PhD, Department of Bioengineering |
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The Trainee Admission and Evaluation committee is responsible for evaluating nominations for CATER funding support, making recommendations to the Executive Committee for student funding and admission, and evaluating yearly student trainees evaluations. This committee is also responsible for ensuring appropriate student advising.
Program Administrative Structure
Dr. Monga is responsible for the efficient administration of all program activities. Administrative duties will be performed by Sherri Peterson of the Department of Pathology.