# SDSU ADAR Program

> **NIH NIH R25** · SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY · 2023 · $405,000

## Abstract

San Diego State University (SDSU) is applying for a second competitive renewal to continue its
National Institute of Aging MSTEM: Advancing Diversity in Aging Research (ADAR)
Undergraduate Education program to increase the number of highly qualified underrepresented
racial and ethnic minority students, students with disabilities, and disadvantaged students who
enter Ph.D. programs focused on aging research. Consistent with the NIA program
announcement, the SDSU ADAR program provides: 1) 3 years of structured research
experiences with outstanding mentors; 2) tailored learning opportunities; 3) an emphasis on the
relevance of aging and of the science of aging to the scholars’ lives; and 4) activities to engage
students to develop a cadre of graduates who will go on to research careers that will diversify the
research workforce on aging. The SDSU ADAR program has three unique features. One is that
SDSU benefits from a partnership between SDSU and the University of California, San Diego
(UCSD). The partnership has a long history of highly successful joint doctoral programs, training
grants, and research collaborations. In addition, partnering with UCSD provides ADAR scholars
with research opportunities available through its medical school. A second unique feature of the
SDSU ADAR program is an extramural research experience at leading research institutions that
all scholars complete during their second summer. This transformative experience provides the
scholars many benefits, including becoming part of a research group at what often is the scholar’s
first extended journey away from home. The third unique feature of the SDSU ADAR program
is a seminar series entitled Becoming a Culturally Competent Alzheimer’s Disease
Researcher, which is an innovative two-semester sequence intended to (1) build scholars’
knowledge about Alzheimer’s disease and determinants of disparities in Alzheimer’s disease, (2)
prepare scholars to apply effective research skills in their research with diverse populations
affected by Alzheimer’s disease, and (3) increase scholar’s resilience for success in doctoral
programs and research careers. SDSU has a wealth of eligible and motivated students. The
SDSU ADAR PI has more than 20 years of experience in developing and leading successful
training programs, and the program benefits from dedicated and nationally recognized research
mentors who have made major contributions to the field of aging research. During the current
funding period, the SDSU ADAR program has been extremely successful, as evidenced by
92% of the four graduating cohorts entering excellent graduate programs in the field of aging.
With these attributes and a training program that has successfully placed ADAR scholars into top-
notch Ph.D. programs, the SDSU ADAR program is well positioned to continue to meet the goals
of the National Institute of Aging MSTEM: Advancing Diversity in Aging Research (ADAR)
Undergraduate Education program.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10397928
- **Project number:** 2R25AG043364-11
- **Recipient organization:** SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** THEREASA A CRONAN
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $405,000
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2013-08-01 → 2028-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10397928

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10397928, SDSU ADAR Program (2R25AG043364-11). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10397928. Licensed CC0.

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