# Training in Alcohol Research

> **NIH NIH T32** · MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA · 2021 · $344,549

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The goal of this training program is to prepare predoctoral students and postdoctoral fellows with knowledge
and skills to carry out cutting-edge alcohol research. For the past 30 years, the Alcohol Research Training
Program at MUSC has created an environment where basic scientists and clinicians work together to train the
next generation of alcohol researchers. The objectives of this training program are to: 1) integrate trainees into
funded alcohol research programs with appropriate mentors, 2) provide general knowledge about alcohol
abuse, alcoholism and alcohol treatment-related research, 3) provide trainees with exposure to appropriate
role models, 4) provide training in issues related to scientific ethics, 5) enhance trainees’s oral and written
communication skills, 6) teach trainees the appropriate use of statistical tools for data analysis, 7) teach
trainees how to prepare research grant applications and to transition them to individual training fellowships, 8)
give each trainee an appreciation of both clinical and basic science approaches to alcohol research, and 9)
assist trainees in finding appropriate outplacement. Over the past decade, there has been outstanding growth
and success of faculty devoted to alcohol research that has contributed to MUSC’s stature as a center for
alcohol and substance-abuse research. This has generated a high demand for predoctoral and postdoctoral
training in alcohol research. Thus, this application requests funds to continue this valuable program. Support is
requested for four post-doctoral trainees and four pre-doctoral trainees. Seven major research areas are
available for training: 1) elucidating the neural targets of alcohol action, 2) uncovering the neurobiological basis
of excessive drinking, 3) analyzing brain imaging of human alcoholics, 4) determining the cognitive aspects of
alcohol use and abuse, 5) evaluating novel pharmacotherapies for treating alcoholism and alcohol abuse, 6)
analyzing how genetic polymorphisms contribute to alcohol abuse and treatment efficacy, and 7) studying the
interactions of stress and interpersonal trauma in alcohol-use trajectories. Training will take place within a
tightly integrated and physically connected environment where educational and research opportunities are
closely coordinated. The comprehensive training program incorporates didactic material, clinical experiences
and research opportunities. Recruitment and selection of trainees is accomplished by the Program Directors
and Steering Committee members and by partnering with the College of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral
Affairs Office of MUSC who provide assistance in recruitment of under-represented individuals. Mentors are
faculty with actively funded alcohol research projects and matching of trainees with mentors is by mutual
consent. The NIAAA training program has been successful in placing trainees in highly-productive postdoctoral
and faculty-level positions through which th...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10135787
- **Project number:** 5T32AA007474-34
- **Recipient organization:** MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
- **Principal Investigator:** John J. Woodward
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $344,549
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1987-09-30 → 2023-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10135787

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10135787, Training in Alcohol Research (5T32AA007474-34). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10135787. Licensed CC0.

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