Research Education

NIH RePORTER · NIH · P30 · $128,288 · view on reporter.nih.gov ↗

Abstract

The Research Education Component (REC) of the Massachusetts Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (MADRC) leads the Center’s efforts to develop junior investigators into future leaders in research on Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders (ADRD) in service of the MADRC's broader theme of understanding the drivers of clinical progression. The REC was established at the beginning of the present funding cycle, building on extensive experience as investigators and educators and leveraging local resources. We follow similar organizing principles as the MADRC as a whole--but all our aims are focused on training. To contribute a formal training program, we recruit and select a diverse cohort of REC Scholars (Aim 1a) and provide cross disciplinary training and mentorship (Aim 1b). To develop cutting- edge training and networking through local rotations and partnerships, we provide training rotations on intensive cutting-edge clinical and basic research methods (Aim 2a) and develop cross-institutional partnerships to broaden training and enhance networking (Aim 2b). To diversify our trainees and faculty, we partner with local programs to facilitate recruitment and training of trainees from groups that are underrepresented in medicine (UiM, Aim 3a), invite and encourage diverse mentors and lecturers for our trainees (Aim 3b), and participate in pathway programs to develop the diverse research workforce of the future (Aim 3c). Building on existing funded clinical fellowships, T32s, K awards, and other programs, we will select 5 funded REC Scholars and an additional 7-10 REC Affiliates, typically fellows or junior faculty--clinician-scientists and basic/quantitative scientists--from diverse academic disciplines for one-year REC training layered on top of their training or career development activities. Disciplinary and racial and ethnic diversity will be a major emphasis of our recruitment efforts. We will provide multidisciplinary mentorship, didactics, immersive experiences, career development activities (including a future-focused leadership workshop series and general and ADRD-specific training in the responsible conduct of research); a tailored methods training; and an individualized formal career development plan. We will offer an array of methods training rotations for REC trainees and others, and develop cross-institutional partnerships with other ADRCs and local programs for extended learning and cross-pollination of ideas across Centers, provide networking opportunities, and enhance the diversity of our trainees. In parallel, we will work with the MADRC as a whole to enhancing the diversity of our mentors and lecturers. Last, we will participate in institutional pathway programs to support the long-term diversity of the biomedical research enterprise on ADRD.

Key facts

NIH application ID
10864401
Project number
2P30AG062421-06
Recipient
MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
Principal Investigator
Deborah L. BLACKER
Activity code
P30
Funding institute
NIH
Fiscal year
2024
Award amount
$128,288
Award type
2
Project period
2019-05-15 → 2029-03-31