RESEARCH EDUCATION COMPONENT - SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The overarching goal of the Research Education Component (REC) of the Shiley-Marcos Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC) at UC San Diego is to support the research education and mentoring of outstanding junior-level scientists (defined as advanced postdoctoral fellows and assistant professors) to advance our understanding of the complex and heterogenous nature of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). To realize this goal the Shiley-Marcos ADRC REC (1) has developed a detailed recruitment plan to recruit a diverse cadre of outstanding trainees to the program each year, (2) will provide a solid foundational platform to prepare this diverse research workforce with transdisciplinary expertise and ability, and (3) engage our trainees and their mentors in the team science initiatives necessary to meet the ambitious goals of the National Plan to address Alzheimer's Disease to prevent and treat ADRD. The REC specific aims are to: 1) Develop the careers of advanced research associates and junior faculty who demonstrate outstanding research potential and an interest in research focused on understanding factors that affect the heterogeneity, etiology and outcomes in ADRD; and 2) Provide mentorship, education, career development activities and a broad array of educational and infrastructural resources across the multiple sites afforded by our rich academic and clinical settings (e.g., School of Medicine, main campus, VA, and affiliated institutions such as the Salk Institute for Biological Studies) to enable our REC scholars to enhance their expertise in ADRD research and research methods, successfully complete their research, present and publish their work, and attain independent research and/or career development funding. The Shiley-Marcos ADRC REC program will be directed by two Leaders and one Consultant from UC San Diego: Lead Dr Bondi (UCSD – Psychiatry; VA – Psychology / Neuropsychology), Co-Lead Dr Hoo