NRT-HDR: Convergence at the Interfaces of Policy, Data Science, Environmental Science and Engineering to Combat the Spread of Antibiotic Resistance

世界正处于后抗生素时代的边缘，预计到2050年，抗生素耐药性导致的死亡人数可能超过癌症。抗生素耐药性问题本质上是具有挑战性的，因为如果社会要继续从这些拯救生命的药物中受益，就必须同时解决问题的相互冲突的驱动因素。弗吉尼亚理工学院和州立大学（弗吉尼亚理工大学）的国家科学基金会研究培训（NRT）奖将通过为下一代科学家和政策制定者提供成功在融合系统中工作所需的技术和专业技能，并利用数据科学的最新进展来解决这个问题。在政策，数据科学和环境科学与工程的接口融合，以打击抗生素耐药性的传播（CIP-CAR）NRT项目解决了在弗吉尼亚理工大学，全国和全球的研究生课程中进行以科学为基础的政策和融合研究培训的迫切需要。该项目预计将培养45名博士。学生，包括33名受资助的学员，来自政策，数据科学和环境科学与工程项目。CIP-CAR NRT是一个博士学位-该计划将尖端研究与四个培训要素相结合：CIP-CAR科学，技术和政策工程（STEP）研究生证书，靴子营地和研讨会，实地项目和跨学科论文章节。研究生证书包括13个学分，重点是与利益相关者进行道德接触，并适当使用数据科学为解决方案提供信息，其中模块和案例研究专门用于抗生素耐药性和其他相关的趋同研究主题。 训练营将每年举行一次，以引导新学生进入NRT。研讨会将每两年举行一次，作为学员与CIP-CAR社区分享他们的研究，学习和实践跨学科团队科学，科学传播，道德和利益相关者参与技能的论坛。实地项目合作伙伴跨越一系列农村，城市和国际地区，与社区，污水处理厂，数据咨询和国际研究实验室合作，为加深利益相关者参与和将研究转化为实践的技能提供机会。至少有一个论文章节将来自一个跨学科的团队科学的努力与学员同行和教师代表不同的学科。STEP毕业证书将提供给所有弗吉尼亚理工大学的研究生（硕士和博士）。这将进一步扩大影响，并在NSF资助之外维持CIP-CAR计划。将通过多管齐下的招聘、辅导、留用以及多样性和包容性培训，促进包容性文化。其目的是，这种包容性的文化将显著提高入学率，成功，和满意度的妇女和代表性不足的少数民族在参与度programmes.The NSF研究培训（NRT）计划旨在鼓励开发和实施大胆的，新的潜在变革模式的STEM研究生教育培训。该计划致力于通过创新的、基于证据的、与不断变化的劳动力和研究需求相一致的综合培训模式，在高优先级的跨学科或融合研究领域对STEM研究生进行有效培训。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The world is on the precipice of a post-antibiotic era, with projections that deaths due to antibiotic resistance could surpass those due to cancer by 2050. The antibiotic resistance problem is inherently challenging, as conflicting drivers of the problem must be addressed simultaneously if society is to continue to benefit from these life-saving drugs. This National Science Foundation Research Traineeship (NRT) award to the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) will tackle this problem by equipping the next generation of scientists and policymakers with the technical and professional skills necessary to successfully work in convergent systems and harness the latest advances in data science to inform solutions. The Convergence at the Interfaces of Policy, Data Science, and Environmental Science and Engineering to Combat the Spread of Antibiotic Resistance (CIP-CAR) NRT project addresses a compelling need for training in science-based policy and convergent research across the graduate curriculum at Virginia Tech, nationally, and globally. The project anticipates training 45 Ph.D. students, including 33 funded trainees, from Policy, Data Science, and Environmental Science and Engineering programs.The CIP-CAR NRT is a Ph.D.-level program that combines cutting-edge research with four training elements: a graduate certificate in CIP-CAR Science, Technology, and Engineering in Policy (STEP), boot camps and workshops, a field project, and a transdisciplinary dissertation chapter. The graduate certificate consists of 13 credit hours, focused on ethically engaging with stakeholders and the appropriate use of data science to inform solutions, with modules and case studies devoted to antibiotic resistance and other relevant convergent research topics. Bootcamps will be held annually to orient new students to the NRT. Workshops will be held bi-annually as a forum for trainees to share their research with the CIP-CAR community and to learn and practice transdisciplinary team science, science communication, ethics, and stakeholder engagement skills. Field project partners span a range of rural, urban, and international locales working with communities, wastewater treatment plants, data consulting, and international research labs to provide opportunities to deepen skills in stakeholder engagement and translating research to practice. At least one dissertation chapter will result from a transdisciplinary team science effort with trainee peers and faculty representing different disciplines. The STEP graduate certificate will be available to all Virginia Tech graduate students (master’s and Ph.D.). This will further broaden the impact and sustain the CIP-CAR program beyond NSF funding. An inclusive culture will be promoted through a multi-pronged approach to recruitment, mentoring, retention, and training in diversity and inclusion. The intent is that this inclusive culture will measurably increase the enrollment, success, and satisfaction of women and underrepresented minorities in participating degree programs.The NSF Research Traineeship (NRT) Program is designed to encourage the development and implementation of bold, new potentially transformative models for STEM graduate education training. The program is dedicated to effective training of STEM graduate students in high priority interdisciplinary or convergent research areas through comprehensive traineeship models that are innovative, evidence-based, and aligned with changing workforce and research needs.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.