# Training in PharmacoNeuroImmune Substance Abuse Research

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA · 2021 · $627,253

## Abstract

7. Project Summary/Abstract
This is a renewal application for an interdisciplinary Drug Abuse Research Training Program titled “Training in
PharmacoNeuroimmunology (PNI) Substance Abuse Research” (T32 DA007097-34). The PNI Training
Program <z.umn.edu/pni> meets a well-recognized need to train biomedical scientists at the pre- and
postdoctoral levels in an interdisciplinary and translational field that focuses on the interactions of drugs of
abuse with the nervous and immune systems, and integrates our understanding of these physiological
interactions with their behavioral counterparts. A critical component of the training program considers the role
of drugs of abuse as co-factors in HIV/AIDS, specifically relating to NeuroAIDS. The program has trained 48
predoctoral and 35 postdoctoral (83 total) in the past 15 years. These individuals hold influential positions in
academia, government, and industry. Our 39 primary faculty preceptors are a talented group of laboratory
based and clinical scientists working at these intersections of disciplines. Our well-funded faculty preceptors
have extensive experience as mentors and are committed to training predoctoral students and postdoctoral
fellows in this interdisciplinary setting. To fulfill our training mission with our available resources, we are
requesting funding for 10 predoctoral and 5 postdoctoral slots. All of the elements of a successful training
program are in place and are functioning efficiently and effectively: a formal curricula, including the two core
courses in Neuro-immune Interactions and Neuropsychopharmacology and two colloquium in Substance
Abuse at the Bedside and HIV/AIDS: Pathogenesis, Treatment, and Prevention. Additional critical training
activities include a bimonthly seminar series, a research-in-progress symposium, and a yearly retreat. The new
expanded PNI training components in this application include: a) adding 13 new faculty as preceptors; b)
developing online learning modules for use by program trainees and undergraduate students participating in
the linked summer research program for students of diversity; c) developing a unique research rigor training
component; and d) developing a training experience for postdoctoral fellows focused on nonacademic
positions. The PNI training program is further enhanced by the University of Minnesota strong initiative to
highlight translational research, (Center for Translational Research) and the designation of Addiction as one
major research priority by the AHC, University of Minnesota evidenced by the establishment of Minnesota
Center for Addiction Neuroscience MNCAN. The emphasized commitment to addiction research as a priority,
and the long standing history of research funding to investigators by NIDA provide additional evidence of a rich
environment for the training of pre and postdoctoral research fellows in substance abuse research.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10149265
- **Project number:** 5T32DA007097-40
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
- **Principal Investigator:** THOMAS William MOLITOR
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $627,253
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1979-01-01 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10149265

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10149265, Training in PharmacoNeuroImmune Substance Abuse Research (5T32DA007097-40). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10149265. Licensed CC0.

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