# Training in Research on Addictions in Interdisciplinary NeuroAIDS (TRAIN)

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · 2021 · $384,097

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Interdisciplinary clinical research on the combined effects of substance abuse and HIV disease on the
central nervous system (CNS) is of considerable public health importance. Despite this, few laboratories
address this critical topic and the current training program is the only one dedicated to preparing the next
generation of investigators to conduct this research. In this proposed second renewal of our NRSA T32
training grant, “Training in Research on Addictions in Interdisciplinary NeuroAIDS (TRAIN),” we aim to
accelerate our contribution to the field. We will continue to recruit talented and diverse pre- and post-
doctoral trainees whose academic development will be furthered by an accomplished multidisciplinary team
of mentors and the extensive academic resources at UC San Diego. TRAIN has been highly successful in
the current funding period–since 2016, the 8 trainees produced 55 research manuscripts (22 first-authored),
88 conference presentations, and 6 book chapters, as well as 2 extramural NIH-funded grants (1 under
review, impact score=21, 2nd percentile), 3 supplements to NIH-funded grants, and 2 intramural pilot grants.
In this second renewal, we plan to enhance our training grant by augmenting faculty expertise, didactics,
and training in new methodologies to support our new complementary theme of the complex biological
mechanisms underlying the CNS consequences of HIV and substance use. Factors of particular focus
include the microbiome and gut brain-axis, systemic and CNS inflammation, neuroimmunology, and
biomarkers. This focus will augment TRAIN continuity themes of neurobehavioral functioning (e.g., frontal
systems behaviors, decision-making, memory) and health-related everyday functioning (e.g., treatment
adherence, vocational outcomes). Given our previous success and the growing demands of the field, we
propose to increase our steady state number of trainees to four pre- and three post-doctoral trainees. Our
students and fellows will be actively engaged in individualized career development plans, such as applied
research training, didactics, and targeted clinical experiences. TRAIN faculty, all with strong training
interests and robust histories of collaborative research, consists of 25 primary mentors across multiple
academic levels and disciplines, with considerable expertise across the aforementioned scientific themes.
We also have made organizational enhancements (e.g., addition of internal TRAIN committees) to further
ensure continued progress towards the accomplishment of trainee goals. TRAIN is led by R. Heaton, Co-
Directors I. Grant and D. Moore (new to this role), and Associate Directors J. Iudicello and E. Morgan; this
team will oversee all training, scientific, and administrative aspects of the program. TRAIN will be housed
at the HNRP-CMCR within the Department of Psychiatry, which is a resource-rich research and training
environment in substance abuse and neuroHIV research. Our central g...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10258166
- **Project number:** 2T32DA031098-11A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
- **Principal Investigator:** ROBERT Kernachan HEATON
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $384,097
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2011-07-01 → 2026-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10258166

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10258166, Training in Research on Addictions in Interdisciplinary NeuroAIDS (TRAIN) (2T32DA031098-11A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10258166. Licensed CC0.

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