Translational Epidemiology - Training for Research on Aging and Chronic disease

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PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Chronic diseases impose a crushing burden on older adults and present unique intellectual, methodological, and statistical challenges to scientists and policy makers. These challenges were highlighted by the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on older adults with chronic conditions. In this resubmission of our renewal application for the UCSF T32 Translational Epidemiology - Training for Research on Aging and Chronic Conditions (TE-TRAC) program, we build on our successful first funding cycle. TE-TRAC pre- and post-doctoral trainees focus on aging and chronic diseases affecting the health of older adults, including Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders, cancer, musculoskeletal, and cardiometabolic disorders. Our T32 program provides trainees with outstanding quantitative research skills and substantive expertise relevant to aging, emphasizing: 1) substantive understanding of the epidemiology of aging and the intersection of biological and social processes relevant to the health of aging populations; 2) rigorous, reproducible analytic methods for complex data, including causal inference and statistical methods; 3) data skills to identify, access, link, and use multi-level data resources, such as longitudinal survey-based cohorts, electronic health records or “omic” information; 4) training in translational research to deliver evidence relevant to policy, clinical, or behavioral interventions to improve health; and 5) mentorship tailored to ensure trainee success in research careers. For pre-doctoral trainees, formal classroom training is combined with applied research rotations and co-curricular activities to foster rapid development of research expertise and expose students to diverse perspectives and methods. Post-doctoral trainees build individualized research agendas and lay the groundwork for their future careers. TE-TRAC is housed in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and faculty mentors with deep expertise in clinical and population research are drawn from across UCSF and its affiliates. TE-TRAC leadership works closely with faculty mentors individually and via the Mentoring Collaborative to foster optimal mentoring skill development. In its first 5 years, TE-TRAC has successfully recruited excellent trainees who have made outstanding professional progress. To date, 7/17 (41%) trainees have been from racial/ethnic groups underrepresented in science. Consistent with the goals of the NRSA program, our alumni have secured desirable positions both inside (78%) and outside (22%) academia. TE- TRAC has been oversubscribed with strong candidates and strong mentors, requiring that we turn away highly qualified pre- and post-doctoral fellows who would benefit from participation and enrich the experience of other trainees. We therefore seek to increase from 2 to 3 second-year pre-doctoral and from 2 to 4 post-doctoral slots per incoming cohort. An External Advisory Committee will monitor and evaluate the program. The TE- TRAC program is training exceptional quantitative researchers prepared to leverage the rapidly expanding methodologic and data repertoires available to address urgent questions on the health of aging populations.