# PREDOCTORAL AND POSTDOCTORAL TRAINING PROGRAM IN AGING AND DEMENTIA

> **NIH NIH T32** · NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $458,080

## Abstract

Abstract
This proposal is a request for continued funding of a broadly based predoctoral and postdoctoral Mechanisms
of Aging and Dementia Training Program from the Northwestern University Interdepartmental Neuroscience
Program (NUIN). Funding to support four advanced predoctoral candidates, after they have begun full-time
thesis research, and four postdoctoral trainees in early or later stages of training, is requested. Training
duration will be for two years with a goal to assist trainees in submitting and obtaining support from individual
research fellowships following training grant support. This training program developed from a multidisciplinary
group of investigators whose work focuses on the mechanisms of aging and dementia, including Alzheimer's
Disease, Parkinson's Disease and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, with approaches spanning molecular,
cellular, systems, behavioral, neuropsychological and clinical neuroscience. These faculty are affiliated
primarily with NUIN and the Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center, which has an NIA supported
Alzheimer's Disease Center grant, and the Udall Parkinson's Disease Center. The program will be directed by
John Disterhoft, PhD and Robert Vassar, PhD in a Multi-PI format, with Dr. Disterhoft directing the program in
funding years 16-17, Drs. Disterhoft and Vassar jointly directing the program in funding years 18-19, and Dr.
Vassar directing the program in funding year 20. They will have the assistance of Sandra Weintraub, PhD
(Associate Director), an internal Steering Committee and an External Advisory Committee. The four
predoctoral and four postdoctoral trainees will conduct their research under the guidance of 36 preceptors from
13 departments of 3 schools on the Chicago and Evanston campuses of Northwestern University, and one
from Rush University Medical School. Predoctoral trainees will be selected from NUIN and the other
participating PhD programs on the basis of course performance, research rotation evaluations, and the
relevance of proposed dissertation research. Postdoctoral trainees will be selected on the basis of previous
training and a research plan. Special consideration will be given to trainees whose research plans are
interdisciplinary and carried out in more than one preceptor laboratory. A concerted effort will be made to
recruit trainees from underrepresented backgrounds. The program will offer a broad range of interdisciplinary
research and training opportunities in both the fundamental and clinical approaches to aging and dementia
research. The preceptor faculty will assist and monitor trainee progress through formal advising and
evaluations, through the classroom and through informal discussions. In addition to providing research training,
the program will help trainees develop skills in written and oral communication, grant writing, networking,
career development and techniques for insuring reproducibility and accuracy of research findings. Instilling a
clear aw...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9925156
- **Project number:** 5T32AG020506-19
- **Recipient organization:** NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** JOHN F DISTERHOFT
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $458,080
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2002-05-01 → 2022-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9925156

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9925156, PREDOCTORAL AND POSTDOCTORAL TRAINING PROGRAM IN AGING AND DEMENTIA (5T32AG020506-19). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-11 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9925156. Licensed CC0.

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