The ICTR TL1 Training program is pleased to announce the selection of six new trainees. Two are postdoctoral trainees — Mariah Calubag, PhD, and Michael Dieterle, MD, PhD — and the remaining four are predoctoral trainees: Chris Carchi, Emma Bublitz, Jordan Bramble, and Samantha Boeshore. The six began their appointments on July 1, 2026.
Supported by the NIH NCATS Clinical and Translational Science Awards program, the TL1 Program helps predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees develop research independence and sustained careers in translational and clinical sciences.
By combining research support with professional development in areas like team science and translational science, the program speeds the development of early-career researchers into innovators and leaders in improving human health.
Receiving a TL1 award is a significant accomplishment for trainees. Since the founding of ICTR’s TL1 program in 2008, it has successfully trained 83 predoctoral and 16 postdoctoral trainees across multiple disciplines. Collectively, these alumni have produced 729 publications and secured 79 grants totaling over $85 million.
The six new scholars join nine who are continuing from previous award cycles. Browse all of the current TL1 scholars on the program webpage.
Learn more about the newest trainees below:
Postdoctoral trainees:
Mariah Calubag, PhD, is affiliated with the Department of Biochemistry in the College of Agricultural & Life Sciences. Her project will focus on the regulation of 2-hydroxyglutarate by acute BCAA restriction during obesity.
Michael Dieterle, MD, PhD, is affiliated with the Department of Medicine in the School of Medicine & Public Health. His project will focus on predicting organ failure trajectories during infection to enable early targeted intervention.
Predoctoral trainees:
Samantha Boeshore is a PhD student in the Neuroscience Training Program. Her project will focus on targeting pathways of resilience to rescue neuronal viability in ARSACS.
Jordan Bramble is an MD/PhD student in the Medical Scientist Training Program. Her project will focus on a radiomics-based AI framework to predict immunotherapy response in non-small cell lung cancer patients with brain metastases.
Emma Bublitz is a PhD student in the Neuroscience Training Program whose project will explore the mechanisms of psilocybin-induced behavioral plasticity.
Chris Carchi is an MD/PhD student in the Medical Scientist Training and Neuroscience Training Programs. His project will focus on the development of conduction of the corticospinal tract during the first two years of life.