# Molecular Neuroscience of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Research Training

> **NIH NIH T32** · RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIV OF N.J. · 2022 · $281,832

## Abstract

The Rutgers molecular neuroscience of alcohol and drug abuse research training (MNADRT) program in New
Jersey is designed to promote the development of promising postdoctoral research fellows as independent
investigators and future University faculty members who will investigate the pathogenesis of alcoholism and
drug abuse. The MNADRT will emphasize a multidisciplinary approach including molecular and cellular
techniques, electrophysiology, optogenetics, designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs, stem
cell technology, neuroimaging, neuroimmunology, neurobehavioral pharmacology, and genetics to increase
the understanding of pathogenesis in alcoholism and drug abuse. Training of the postdoctoral fellows will be
individualized with the most important component being the research conducted by the trainee in the faculty
mentor's laboratory. In addition to hands-on alcohol and drug abuse research, additional training will include
seminars and conferences, grant writing, responsible conduct of research, teaching and mentoring, scientific
rigor and reproducibility and other training as needed to prepare fellows for independent research. The training
faculty will consist of 10 funded investigators from multiple departments at Rutgers University. The trainees will
benefit from the unique strengths of alcohol and drug abuse research at Rutgers University, which include the
Endocrine Research Program, Brain Health Institute, Center of Alcohol Studies, and the research cores,
including genome editing core facility, bioimaging core facility, genomic informatics and biostatics services. The
vast resources of Rutgers provide state-of-the-art space, laboratory facilities, and equipment that support
exceptional postdoctoral training. The training program will be directed by Drs. Dipak K. Sarkar and. Gary
Aston-Jones and assisted by the Internal Advisory Committee consisted of 3 senior faculty members. Broader
scientific inputs to the training will be provided by an External Advisory Committee consisting of four well-
known alcohol and drug abuse researchers, Drs. Fulton Crews, Paula L. Hoffman, Fernando Valenzuela and
Regina M. Carelli, who have substantial knowledge in NIAAA/NIDA training of postdoctoral fellows. The
program proposes four post-doctoral fellow slots. Trainees will receive two years of research training and with
external support sought for later years. This institutional training grant will promote intensive training in
molecular, cellular, immunological, stem cell technology, imaging techniques and basic neuroscience and
neuroendocrinology in a stimulating environment leading to broadly trained independent investigators capable
of adapting to the rapid advances in research in the 21st century.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10457295
- **Project number:** 5T32AA028254-04
- **Recipient organization:** RUTGERS, THE STATE UNIV OF N.J.
- **Principal Investigator:** Gary S. Aston-Jones
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $281,832
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-08-01 → 2024-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10457295

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10457295, Molecular Neuroscience of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Research Training (5T32AA028254-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10457295. Licensed CC0.

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