UC Davis Advancing Diversity in the Neuroscience Research (ADNR) Program

我们提出的推进神经科学研究多样性（ADNR）计划的最终目标是增加生物医学，行为和临床神经科学研究人员的多样性。为此，我们建议制定一个全面的计划，为本科生提供研究教育活动，为神经科学研究生提供师友发展机会。ADNR将是一个为期三年的项目，由两个部分组成。第一部分是一个为期一年的项目，将支持10名不同的（根据PAR-17-312 FOA的定义）大二学生，他们从参加我们的ADNR前项目（生物学本科学者计划（BUSP））的大一新生中选出。二年级的ADNR计划旨在提高学生的保留率，促进学术卓越，并激发对神经科学研究的兴趣和参与。它包括课程作业、咨询和研究经验。在大二结束时，每个参与者都将被评估是否有可能进入第二部分——ADNR荣誉（ADNR- hr）项目。我们将从ADNR大二学生中选出5名即将升学的大三学生参加ADNR- hr项目。该荣誉课程将提供为期两年的研究密集型经验，以及旨在实现以下目标的一系列活动：(a) 90%的参与者毕业于神经科学相关专业，GPA≥3.25；(b)通过丰富的研究经验、便利的期刊俱乐部和与神经科学研究生的互动，增加科研专业知识；(c)通过具体作业和同伴及导师的反馈，提高口头和书面表达能力；(d)维持/加强对神经科学相关研究事业的承诺；(e)提高对神经科学职业道路的认识，并为成功过渡到研究生课程提供工具，包括了解申请要求、流程和培养强大的面试技巧，后者通过实践和咨询委员会成员的反馈；(f)大多数（≥50%）参与的学生在获得学士学位后的3年内进入神经科学相关的博士（或双医学博士/博士学位）课程或从事神经科学工作。我们将邀请神经科学的高级研究生向本科生讲述他们的具体教育路径和他们目前的研究兴趣。在接受有关指导最佳实践的指导后，神经科学研究生将作为ADNR-HR中至少一名大三和一名大四本科生的非正式导师。这将为本科生提供相关的榜样，并为研究生提供发展指导技能的机会，这对他们的职业发展和长期成功至关重要。

The ultimate goal of our proposed Advancing Diversity in Neuroscience Research (ADNR) Program is to increase the diversity of the biomedical, behavioral and clinical neuroscience research workforce. For this, we propose to develop a comprehensive program that will have research education activities for undergraduates and mentorship development opportunities for neuroscience graduate students. ADNR will be a three-year program with two components. The first component is a one-year program that will support ten diverse (as defined by the PAR-17-312 FOA) sophomore students selected from the freshmen participating in our pre- ADNR program [the Biology Undergraduate Scholars Program (BUSP)]. The sophomore year ADNR Program is designed to enhance retention, foster academic excellence, and kindle interest and engagement in neuroscience research. It involves course work, advising, and research experience. Near the end of their sophomore year, each of the participants will be assessed for the possibility of moving onward to the second component -- the ADNR Honors (ADNR-HR) Program. We will select five rising junior students from ADNR sophomores to participate in the ADNR-HR program. This honors program will provide a two year research- intensive experience, plus a series of activities designed to achieve the following goals: (a) 90% of participants graduating in a neuroscience-related major with a GPA ≥ 3.25; (b) increased scientific research expertise via intensive research experiences, facilitated journal clubs, and interaction with neuroscience graduate students; (c) enhanced oral & written presentation skills via specific assignments and peer as well as instructor feedback; (d) maintenance/enhanced commitment to neuroscience-related research careers; (e) increased awareness of neuroscience career pathways and provision of tools for successful transitions to graduate programs, including understanding application requirements, processes, and development of strong interviewing skills, the latter via practice and feedback from members of our Advisory Committee; and (f) entry of a majority (≥50%) of participating students into a neuroscience-related PhD (or dual MD/PhD degree) program or a career in the neuroscience workforce within 3 years of receiving their baccalaureate degree. We will invite senior neuroscience graduate students to speak to the undergraduates about their specific educational path and their current research interests. After receiving guidance about mentoring best practices, neuroscience graduate students will serve as informal mentors to at least one junior and one senior undergraduate student in ADNR-HR. This will offer the undergraduates relevant role models, and provide the graduate students with an opportunity to develop mentorship skills, critical to their career advancement and long-term success.