PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Drug overdose deaths and substance use disorders (SUDs) constitute a major, high-impact health problem in the U.S. This renewal of the training grant Translational Explorations in Substance Use Disorders (T32 DA007287) at the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) proposes to address the large gap between the problem and efficacious solutions by mentoring the next generation of innovative scientists committed to the search for answers. Under the auspices of the UTMB Center for Addiction Research (CAR), the history of our Training Program demonstrates a wealth of career development successes, extensive collaborative networks, and expertise in cross-disciplinary SUD research conducted with contemporary technologies. Currently, 56% of our mentees are females, while 50% are URM mentees; 12% of our mentees self-disclosed as SGM or persons with disabilities or disadvantaged backgrounds. Our T32 mentors include 50% women with 19% having URM status. During the current funding period, 95% of our mentees were retained in research positions with ~74% in SUD-related careers. Together, pre- and postdoctoral mentees generated a total of 140+ publications in the past 10 years (36 during the current funding period with numerous manuscripts in progress). Our predoctoral mentees are producing, on average, six published manuscripts each (two as first-author). Of our postdoctoral mentees from the current funding period, three have become faculty, two are in residency programs, one is in industry. Moving forward, our goal is to provide mentees with key transferrable skills accessible through innovative SUD mechanistic studies, drug discovery projects, prevention, and public health initiatives. We will harness Health Analytics to accomplish this goal by incorporating research strategies across barriers towards biobehavioral signatures of SUDs. Our objectives are to (1) integrate diverse mentees into SUD research; (2) instill mastery of SUD sciences and key skills through outstanding role models; (3) impart critical thinking skills to tackle strategic questions in our field; (4) provide first-rate preparation for independent careers in SUD sciences; (5) inculcate best practices in scientific ethics, rigor, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) across the full spectrum of possibilities; (6) broaden the dissemination of our learnings though peer-reviewed publications and community venues to improve public health, productivity, and life fulfillment. Strategies to achieve these objectives include providing well-funded, state-of-the-art research opportunities, facilities, effective mentoring plans (Mentor Mosaics), challenging curricula, supportive interactive programs (e.g., SciPopUp, short-term research rotations), plus first-rate activities that develop the professional skills needed for advancement towards an independent career (e.g., Grant and Publication Action Group, Innovation and Entrepreneurship). The outcome of our efforts is successfu...