“Molecular Pharmacology Training Grant” led by Daria Mochly-Rosen (NIGMS) focuses on training pre-doctoral students in modern pharmacology, drug discovery and development. This program builds SPARK, Stanford’s translational research effort which provides real-world experience in drug development. This unique training program includes formal learning in pharmacology, cell signaling, drug discovery, chemistry, systems biology and math. This program, in its second year, is supported by SDRC member Dr. Annes and his graduate student who has embarked on a chemical screening project to identify therapeutic targets that promote maintenance of β-cell maturity. This training grant positively interacts with the SDRC’s mission of promoting diabetes research interest, success and translation.