The Institute for Prevention Research offers professional training opportunities for medical students and training for physicians and allied health personnel on the behavioral aspects of disease prevention. Participants learn the risk factors for development of chronic disease and problem behaviors, as well as the issues related to the design, implementation and evaluation of effective school-based health promotion/disease prevention programs. In addition, through its Center work, the Institute prepares scientists to become leaders in the field of multi-ethnic drug abuse prevention with awareness of, and sensitivity to cultural norms and racial/ethnic differences.  

Dr. Gilbert J. Botvin, Director of the Institute for Prevention Research and Professor of Public Health and Psychiatry, is a member of the teaching faculty for Cornell University Medical College’s Residency in General Preventive Medicine. As such, Dr. Botvin acts as a mentor and a seminar preceptor for the "Clerkship in Public Health". In addition, Dr. Botvin serves on the committee designing a new curriculum for Cornell University Medical College students that that emphasizes preventive medicine, health promotion and disease prevention, as well as drug abuse prevention and sensitivity to diversity.