Sustained Training in Aging and HIV Research (STAHR)

此应用程序建议继续开发、实施和评估高度成功的可持续 老龄化和艾滋病毒研究(STAHR)研究培训计划，其目标是扩大 由NIMH资助的新研究人员池进行艾滋病毒、衰老和心理健康的研究。自印心以来 在2015年的计划中，艾滋病毒携带者(PWH)的寿命继续提高，但健康期限 没有得到同样程度的改善，这引发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，另一方面是韧性和神经可塑性等积极方面。大有可为 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，在较老的PWH中。培养有知识的科研人员 老龄化和艾滋病毒方面的专门知识对于促进这一领域迫切需要的研究至关重要。这个 斯塔尔计划建立在两个主要研究计划可用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，斯坦因老龄化与艾滋病毒研究所 神经行为研究计划)，并阐述了NIMH艾滋病研究部门的几个优先事项 以及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和 来自全国各地的初级教员，他们在老龄化或艾滋病毒研究方面有经验，但有兴趣获得 在这两个因素的交叉点上的专业知识。每年选出四名新的学者，并进行配对 在他们的母校有一位主要导师，在加州大学圣迭戈分校有一位共同导师。培训目标是增加 艾滋病毒和老龄心理健康研究方面的知识和技能，支持职业发展，并提供指导 成为一个关键的焦点。每位奖学金获得者与他们的导师一起制定个人发展计划。虽然 许多培训活动都是在整个3年期计划中远程进行的，我们有所有的学者和 在公共卫生允许的情况下，导师每年都会在加州大学圣迭戈分校举办为期两天的研讨会。一年级的学者也 参加为期4周的暑期班，一部分是在加州大学圣迭戈分校，另一部分是远程。在其第一个供资周期中， 斯塔尔项目培训了20名初出茅庐的科学家(50%的少数族裔代表不足)。 到目前为止，该计划的成功可以从令人印象深刻的出版物记录、获得赠款、 职业生涯里程碑和积极的项目评估。到目前为止，该项目已经扩大了导师网络 在全美范围内，它支持学员发展并促进合作。有了这次更新， 网络将继续发展，并在计划期间和结束后作为受训者的资源。总体而言，斯塔尔 努力培养高素质自筹资金的调查人员，他们将为智力做出持久的贡献 艾滋病毒和老龄化方面的健康研究。

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.