The M.D. postdoctoral track is a 2-3 year post-graduate training program that emphasizes research in Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities. The goal of the program is to provide M.D. trainees with “protected” time that will allow them to complete and publish a serious research project under the supervision of one of our MRDD preceptors. This MRDD training program is independent of any American Board of Medical Genetics (ABMG) training, although such certification may be pursued prior to or after completion of this program. M.D. (and Ph.D.) postdoctoral trainees are required to present at our MRDD journal club, to give a research seminar every six to eight months, to participate in the MRDD Research Day and Retreat, and to take an active role in the laboratory research meetings and seminars. The research seminars are presented in the Postdoctoral Research Conference, which is attended by Ph.D. and M.D. postdoctoral fellows, predoctoral students and faculty. In addition, they will be required to attend our monthly MRDD Seminar Series. They may also audit and participate in any of the courses available campus-wide. Postdoctoral trainee progress is evaluated formally by the Program Directors, in consultation with their Preceptors, every six months (or more frequently, if needed), but the daily interaction between the trainee and the preceptor serves as the primary vehicle for assessing trainee progress. Our postdoctoral trainees usually choose a basic science research project, but some have pursued clinical research projects as well.