Sustained Training in Aging and HIV Research (STAHR)

本申请建议继续开发、实施和评估非常成功的 老龄化和艾滋病毒研究培训（STAHR）研究培训计划，其目标是扩大 NIMH资助的新研究人员进行艾滋病毒，衰老和心理健康的研究。从发起所 在2015年的计划中，艾滋病毒感染者（PWH）的寿命继续改善，但健康寿命 没有得到同样程度的改善，这引起了人们对过早衰老的担忧。许多关键研究问题 关于艾滋病毒、衰老和大脑之间的复杂关系，仍然没有答案。这一新兴领域 包括身体和精神疾病，多种药物，认知障碍和心理社会问题 一方面是压力源，另一方面是积极的方面，如恢复力和神经可塑性。多 关于预防和治疗精神疾病的机制和干预措施仍有待了解， 包括认知和情绪障碍。用知识培养研究人员 在老龄化和艾滋病方面的专业知识对于促进这一领域迫切需要的研究至关重要。的 STAHR计划建立在两个主要研究计划的基础设施和专业知识的基础上， 加州大学圣地亚哥分校（UCSD，Stein Institute for Research on Aging and HIV） 神经行为研究计划），并解决了NIMH艾滋病研究部门的几个优先事项 和美国国立卫生研究院艾滋病研究办公室。该计划的目标是临床和翻译博士后研究员， 来自全国各地的初级教师谁在老龄化或艾滋病毒研究的经验，但有兴趣获得 专业知识在这两个因素的交叉点。每年选出四名新学者， 在他们的家乡机构有一位主要导师，在UCSD有一位共同导师。培训目标是提高 艾滋病毒和老龄化心理健康研究的知识和技能，并通过指导支持职业发展 成为一个关键焦点。每个学者与他们的导师一起制定个人发展计划。虽然 在整个3年计划中，许多培训活动都是远程进行的，我们有所有的学者， 当公共卫生允许时，导师每年在UCSD召开为期2天的研讨会。第一年的学者也 参加为期4周的暑期研究所，将部分在UCSD亲自和部分远程。在第一个供资周期， STAHR项目培训了20名早期职业科学家（50%代表性不足的少数民族）。 迄今为止，该计划的成功体现在出版物、赠款、 职业里程碑和积极的计划评估。到目前为止，该计划已经扩大了导师网络， 在美国，它支持了受训者的发展并促进了合作。通过这次更新， 该网络将继续发展，并在计划期间和之后为学员提供资源。总体而言，STAH 致力于培养高质量的独立资助的研究人员，他们将为心理健康做出持久的贡献。 艾滋病毒和老龄化的健康研究。

This application proposes to continue to develop, implement, and evaluate the highly successful Sustained Training on Aging and HIV Research (STAHR) research training program, which has the goal of expanding the pool of NIMH-funded new investigators performing research of HIV, aging, and mental health. Since the initiation of the program in 2015, the lifespan of people with HIV (PWH) has continued to improve but the healthspan has not improved to the same extent, raising concerns about premature aging. Many key research questions regarding the complex relationship between HIV, aging, and the brain remain unanswered. This emerging field encompasses issues of physical and psychiatric disease, polypharmacy, cognitive impairment, and psychosocial stressors on the one hand, and positive aspects such as resilience and neuroplasticity on the other. Much remains to be learned about mechanisms and interventions for preventing and treating mental illnesses, including cognitive and mood disorders, in older PWH. Fostering the development of researchers with knowledge and expertise in both aging and HIV is critical for the promotion of urgently needed research in this field. The STAHR program builds on the infrastructure and expertise available at two major research programs at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD, the Stein Institute for Research on Aging and the HIV Neurobehavioral Research Program) and addresses several priorities of the NIMH Division of AIDS Research and the NIH Office of AIDS Research. The program targets clinical and translational postdoctoral fellows and junior faculty from across the country who have experience in aging or HIV research, but are interested in gaining expertise in the intersection of these two factors. Four new scholars are selected each year and are matched with a primary mentor at their home institution and a co-mentor at UCSD. Training goals are to increase knowledge and skills in HIV and aging mental health research and support career development, with mentoring being a key focus. Each scholar works with their mentors to develop an Individual Development Plan. Although many of the training activities are performed remotely throughout the 3-year program, we have all scholars and mentors convene annually for a 2-day Workshop at UCSD when public health allows. First year scholars also attend a 4-week Summer Institute that will be part in-person at UCSD and part remote. In its first funding cycle, the STAHR program trained a diverse group of 20 early-career scientists (50% underrepresented minorities). The program’s success thus far is evidenced by the impressive track record of publications, awarded grants, career milestones and the positive program evaluations. Thus far, the program has grown its network of mentors across the U.S., which has supported trainee development and fostered collaborations. With this renewal, the network will continue to grow and serve as a resource for trainees during and after the program. Overall, STAHR strives to develop high quality independently funded investigators, who will make lasting contributions to mental health research in HIV and aging.