Collaborative Research: REU Site: Training Diverse Undergraduate Teams of Veterans and Non-Veterans to Conduct Trauma Research with Veterans

该项目由SBE理事会的本科生研究经验(REU)站点计划资助。因此，它兼具科学和社会效益，并将研究和教育融为一体。这个REU网站是由锡拉丘兹大学、纽约州立大学奥斯威戈分校和纽约州立大学北部医科大学共同努力的，构成了一个结构良好的项目，每年有8名学生参加。其目的是培训退伍军人和非退伍军人与退伍军人参与者一起进行创伤相关研究。该网站提供为期两周的在线培训，以及在为期4周的暑期学院期间由高素质和多产的教师提供研究指导和课程作业，这些教师有让本科生参与他们研究的记录。除了这些教员导师，几位来自不同军事和非军事背景的顾问提供了一种新颖的视角组合，作为演讲系列的一部分，以解决多学科研究问题。该计划通过锡拉丘兹大学、纽约州立大学北部医学中心和纽约州立大学奥斯威戈分校利用包括研讨会房间、实验室和住房在内的资源。在对项目参与者的影响方面，我们希望提高学生进行创伤研究的能力，并增加他们进入研究生院的机会。就科学价值而言，多个项目涉及学生并解决重要的研究问题。目前的兴趣包括旨在更好地了解与各种创伤结果相关的化学、临床、认知和家庭因素的研究。能够更好地预测创伤后创伤后应激障碍的发展，可以为预防和治疗创伤后应激障碍提供支持。此外，我们的社会将受益于更好地了解创伤后应激障碍，因为美国成年人中创伤后应激障碍的终生患病率相对较高，估计为6.8%。这个REU网站通过招募退伍军人(如果可能的话，特别是少数族裔和妇女)作为参与者，扩大了代表不足的群体的参与。PIs还为退伍军人提供机会，让他们在安全的环境中，在适当的支持下，重新融入本科生的研究文化。此外，退伍军人与其他退伍军人一起参与创伤相关研究的设计和实施，构成了“参与性研究”的一种新应用。除了退伍军人参与者的直接利益外，非退伍军人参与者还可以学习欣赏退伍军人参与创伤相关研究的价值，特别是在该研究涉及退伍军人群体的情况下。

This project is funded from the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Sites program in the SBE Directorate. As such, it has both scientific and societal benefits, and it integrates research and education. This REU site is a joint effort between Syracuse University, SUNY Oswego, and SUNY Upstate Medical University and constitutes a well-structured program for a cohort of 8 students each year. The objective is to train veterans and non-veterans to conduct trauma-related research with veteran participants. The site offers an online 2-week orientation as well as research mentoring and coursework during a 4-week summer institute by highly qualified and productive faculty members that have a track record of involving undergraduates in their research. In addition to these faculty mentors, several consultants from various military and non-military backgrounds provide a novel combination of perspectives to address multidisciplinary research questions as part of a speaker series. The program draws on resources including seminar rooms, laboratories, and housing through Syracuse University, SUNY Upstate Medical Center, and SUNY Oswego. With respect to impact on program participants, we expect to increase students' ability to conduct trauma research and increase their chances of admission into graduate school. With respect to scientific merit, multiple projects involve students and address important research questions.Current interests include research designed to gain a better understanding of the chemical, clinical, cognitive, and family factors associated with various trauma outcomes. Being able to better predict the development of PTSD following trauma can support efforts at prevention and treatment of PTSD. Moreover, our society would benefit from a better understanding of PTSD since the lifetime prevalence of PTSD among adult Americans is relatively high, estimated at 6.8%. This REU site broadens the participation of under-represented groups by recruiting veterans (particularly minorities and women, when possible) as participants. The PIs also provide an opportunity for veterans to re-integrate to an undergraduate research culture in a safe environment with appropriate supports. Moreover, this veteran participation in the design and implementation of trauma-related research with fellow veterans constitutes a novel application of "participatory research". Beyond the direct benefit to veteran participants, non-veteran participants can learn to appreciate the value of veteran participation in trauma-related research, particularly when that research involves a veteran population.