Summer Research Education Program for Promoting Computational Neuroimaging Technology in Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and AD-Related Dementias (ADRD)

NIH RePORTER · NIH · R25 · $205,000 · view on reporter.nih.gov ↗

Abstract

Neuroimaging technology such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) is critical to Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Alzheimer's disease-related dementias (ADRD) studies. In spite of the wide consensus that the integration of neuroimaging and data science approaches offers a powerful tool for understanding the underlying disease mechanisms and developing personalized treatment strategies for AD/ADRD, we are facing the urgent challenge of a capable workforce with computational neuroimaging skill-sets, due to the lack of early exposure to high-quality, hands-on research education experiences in the imaging-based AD/ADRD studies. To address this challenge, we form an inter-disciplinary team of data scientists and AD/ADRD experts to develop a summer research education program on computational neuroimaging to support the NIA’s priority on expanding research in AD/ADRD (ERA). Specifically, our education program consists of four inter-connected components. First, we will design a hybrid curriculum of computational neuroimaging for high school students that includes a set of synchronous/asynchronous short courses covering research ethics, imaging physics, biomedical image processing, statistical inference, machine learning, and AD/ADRD clinical applications. Second, we will develop a collection of hands-on tutorials to train the students how to formulate the AD/ADRD question into a well-posed computational problem, how to analyze neuroimaging data, and how to translate the computational tools into clinical applications. Third, we will build a cloud-based neuroimage processing platform with the integrative functions of visualization, analysis, and data management/sharing, which allows us to deliver the computational power to every student in this research education program. Lastly, and primarily, we will manage a project-based mentoring plan to offer each student the opportunity for a one-to-one mentored research experience with AD/ADRD experts at UNC, Duke, and Wake Forest University during the summer program. We will work with the academic mentors to continue the training for motivated high school students by tracking the project progress, providing career advice, and evaluating training performance. Under the umbrella of AD/ADRD research, we will partner with two NIH-funded Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers (ADRCs) at Duke/UNC and Wake Forest University. We will also align our education program with the existing renewed STEM programs at North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics and North Carolina Science & Engineering Fair to engage high school students with diverse scientific and cultural backgrounds. Our outreach strategy will promote broad participation in Alzheimer’s and related dementia (AD/ADRD) research education, ensuring that opportunities are accessible to qualified students. Participant eligibility will be determined through a merit-based selection process. The success of the program is built upon the...

Key facts

NIH application ID
10847935
Project number
1R25AG086105-01
Recipient
UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
Principal Investigator
Jasleen Kaur
Activity code
R25
Funding institute
NIH
Fiscal year
2024
Award amount
$205,000
Award type
1
Project period
2024-05-15 → 2029-04-30