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，有预测称，到2050年，因抗生素耐药性而死亡的人数可能会超过癌症。抗生素耐药性问题本身就具有挑战性，因为如果社会要继续受益于这些救命药物，就必须同时解决该问题的相互冲突的驱动因素。国家科学基金会研究培训(NRT)奖授予弗吉尼亚理工学院和州立大学(弗吉尼亚理工大学)，将通过向下一代科学家和政策制定者提供必要的技术和专业技能来解决这一问题，以成功地在融合系统中工作，并利用数据科学的最新进展来提供解决方案。对抗抗生素耐药性传播的政策、数据科学和环境科学与工程界面的融合(CIP-CAR)NRT项目解决了弗吉尼亚理工大学全国和全球研究生课程中基于科学的政策和融合研究培训的迫切需求。该项目预计将培训45名博士生，其中包括33名受资助的实习生，他们来自政策、数据科学和环境科学与工程项目。CIP-CAR NRT是一个博士级项目，将尖端研究与四个培训要素相结合：CIP-CAR科学、技术和工程政策研究生证书(STEP)、新兵训练营和研讨会、一个实地项目和一个跨学科论文章节。研究生证书包括13个学分，重点是与利益攸关方在道德上的接触，以及适当使用数据科学来提供解决方案，其中有专门讨论抗生素耐药性和其他相关汇合研究主题的模块和案例研究。训练营将每年举行一次，以引导新学生适应NRT。研讨会将每两年举办一次，作为学员与CIP-CAR社区分享他们的研究成果的论坛，并学习和实践跨学科的团队科学、科学交流、伦理和利益相关者参与技能。现场项目合作伙伴跨越农村、城市和国际现场，与社区、废水处理厂、数据咨询和国际研究实验室合作，提供机会加深利益相关者参与的技能，并将研究转化为实践。至少有一个论文章节将由代表不同学科的实习生、同行和教职员工组成的跨学科团队科学努力产生。所有弗吉尼亚理工大学的研究生(硕士和博士)都可以获得STEP研究生证书。这将进一步扩大影响，并在NSF资助之外维持CIP-CAR计划。将通过多管齐下的方式，在多样性和包容性方面进行招聘、指导、留用和培训，促进包容性文化。其目的是，这种包容性文化将显著提高参加学位课程的女性和代表性不足的少数族裔的入学率、成就率和满意度。NSF研究培训(NRT)计划旨在鼓励为STEM研究生教育培训开发和实施大胆的、具有潜在变革性的新模式。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保持一致的综合实习生模式，在高度优先的跨学科或趋同研究领域对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优势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.