Vision Research Training Program (T32)

The Vision Research Training Program (VRTP) at the University of Utah represents the central vehicle for comprehensive vision-related biomedical training in the Intermountain West. Funded by the NIH, this multidisciplinary program transcends traditional departmental boundaries by bringing together vision research faculty and students from different PhD-granting umbrella programs at the two leading state research universities: the University of Utah and Brigham Young University. 

VRTP provides financial support, structured education, research training, and mentorship for outstanding graduate students and postdoctoral fellows who seek careers in vision science. Fellows are required to take vision-centric courses, present at informal and formal seminars, and develop individual research programs under the mentorship of NIH-funded preceptors. 

The program also sponsors participation at prestigious vision science-related workshops and conferences across the country. 

The first directors were Robert Marc, PhD, and Wolfgang Baehr, PhD. The program is currently directed by David Krizaj, PhD (Ophthalmology) and Monica Vetter, PhD (Neurobiology). 

The goals of the training program are to: 

• Provide predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees with state-of-the-art tools in basic, translational, and clinical vision science.
• Promote multidisciplinary mechanism-based vision research as a pathway toward an independent career in biomedicine. 
• Emphasize grantsmanship, professional communication, and career development through publications, seminars, and conferences.
• Foster initiative, independence, creativity, and merit.