Multidisciplinary Training in Alzheimer and Related Dementias

NIH RePORTER · NIH · T32 · $427,030 · view on reporter.nih.gov ↗

Abstract

ABSTRACT/SUMMARY The Washington University “Multidisciplinary Training in Alzheimer and Related Dementias” (ADRD-T32) Training Plan is designed to train the next generation of translational researchers in Alzheimer disease and related dementias (ADRD). The program will be led jointly by the Knight ADRC and the Hope Center for Neurological Disorders at Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM). The focus of the program is on multidisciplinary team-based research that accelerates the development of treatments for ADRD and increases diversity in the research workforce by enhancing the clinical and translational basic science experience for young investigators in a highly enriched research environment. The Knight ADRC and the Hope Center support a highly collaborative environment that exemplifies multi-disciplinary team-based research. Thirty-three faculty from twelve Departments at Washington University will mentor trainees in dementia research. The faculty include basic scientists, translational neuroscientists and clinical investigators. WUSM has outstanding resources, including state of the art facilities for translational research, biostatistics and informatics, and an excellent track record in developing new therapies. The predoctoral students will be drawn from 9 different doctoral programs, including those affiliated with specific departments (Biomedical Engineering, Psychological and Brain Sciences, and Social Work) as well as from programs in the Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, including Biochemistry, Computational and Systems Biology, Developmental, Regenerative and Stem Cell Biology, Human and Statistical Genetics, Molecular Genetics & Genomics, Neuroscience and from the McKelvey School of Engineering. Postdoctoral trainees will be drawn from Chemistry and Developmental Biology, clinical departments (Neurology, Medicine, Pathology, Psychiatry and Radiology), Biostatistics, Psychological and Brain Sciences and the School of Social Work. The training program will support 3 predoctoral trainees and 3 postdoctoral trainees; each year the program will support 2 medical students from Meharry Medical College School of Medicine for a short-term training program aimed at exposing promising medical students to the field of ADRD early in their medical training. The program will provide training (but no stipend) for two Washington University School of Medicine medical students participating in the Year Long Research Program. The training program includes sessions devoted to clinical aspects of dementia, datasets and resources available at the Knight ADRC, WUSM and through large national efforts, bioinformatics, and responsible conduct of research. The program aims to develop a pipeline of diverse and rigorously trained ADRD researchers through mentorship with leading experts in all facets of ADRD research from a leading center with over 4 decades of success in training AD researchers.

Key facts

NIH application ID
10848618
Project number
2T32AG058518-06
Recipient
WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
Principal Investigator
Eric Martin McDade
Activity code
T32
Funding institute
NIH
Fiscal year
2024
Award amount
$427,030
Award type
2
Project period
2018-05-01 → 2029-04-30