# Neuroepidemiology Training Program

> **NIH NIH T32** · COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES · 2021 · $248,498

## Abstract

This is a proposal for continuation of support for a postdoctoral research training program in
Neuroepidemiology. To our knowledge, it is the oldest and one of the only NIH-funded
Neuroepidemiology training programs in the US. Neuroepidemiology addresses the antecedents and risk
factors, natural history, and, ultimately, the prevention of neurological diseases, and there is a critical need for
clinician-scientists and public health scientists to study the epidemiology of neurological disorders in light of the
aging of the population and advances in available tools to study these issues. The objective of the program is
to prepare neurologists and other research scientists for research careers in the epidemiology of neurologic
disorders. Since its inception, the program has trained neurologists and neuroscientists who are now
professors or career research scientists at major academic institutions, the NIH, and elsewhere. The program,
which completed its 37thyear of funding, capitalizes on the strengths of the Department of Neurology (Vagelos
College of Physicians and Surgeons), the Departments of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (Mailman School of
Public Health [MSPH]), and the inter-disciplinary structure of the Gertrude H. Sergievsky Center, all at
Columbia University Medical Center. The program provides stimulating training in a research environment for
developing neuroscientists who plan to use epidemiologic methods to study diseases of the nervous system,
and have as a career goal a research or academic position. The structured, didactic training provided by the
curriculum at the MSPH, combined with the opportunity to participate in ongoing epidemiologic studies of
neurologic disease conducted by program faculty, provides trainees with optimal training for academic
positions. Trainees will have the opportunity to work on large ongoing epidemiological studies utilizing different
study designs, including case-control and prospective cohort studies such as the Northern Manhattan Study,
the Washington Heights-Inwood Community Aging Project, the Consortium on Risk for Early Onset Parkinson's
Disease, and others. Past trainees have successfully competed for independent funding from the NIH and
other sources. We request support for four MD/DO neurologists or appropriate postdoctoral neuroscientists
(PhD or equivalent) each year for five years. All trainees spend two years in the program, during which time
sequenced didactic course work in epidemiology and biostatistics will be integrated with increasingly
independent research activity. A degree (MS in Epidemiology) is the recommended course for most trainees.
Trainees also meet weekly to present research and grant plans, and to discuss career development.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10197222
- **Project number:** 5T32NS007153-38
- **Recipient organization:** COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES
- **Principal Investigator:** MITCHELL S ELKIND
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $248,498
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1980-07-01 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10197222

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10197222, Neuroepidemiology Training Program (5T32NS007153-38). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10197222. Licensed CC0.

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