Texas Consortium Program in Behavioral Neuroscience

描述（由申请人提供）：德克萨斯行为神经科学联盟成立于2002年，是美国第一个区域性培训联盟，其使命是从代表性不足的人群中增加一流行为神经科学家的数量。它提供了一种新的机构间合作模式，资源共享，网络和支持性环境，有利于卓越的研究教育和专业发展。它为具有特殊科学天赋的受训者创造了成功的机会，而传统的培训计划在历史上一直得不到充分的服务。它致力于为许多传统上被关闭的有功人士打开大门。它寻求资金支持来自代表性不足的民族和种族群体，残疾人和来自弱势背景的个人的10名博士生和5名博士后学员，他们将进行与NIMH， NIDA和NINDS相关的研究。这个创新的联盟加强了5个机构之间的合作和资源分配，并在具有成功培训经验的高素质神经科学家的领导下统一了他们的培训工作。该学院由26名美国国立卫生研究院资助的私人研究员组成，他们在研究和培训方面进行合作，并致力于增加多样性，他们是从德克萨斯州5所具有成功合作和培训代表性不足群体的机构中挑选出来的：德克萨斯大学奥斯汀分校、德克萨斯大学圣安东尼奥分校、德克萨斯大学圣安东尼奥分校健康科学中心、德克萨斯农工大学和德克萨斯农工大学系统健康科学中心。基础广泛的培训涵盖行为学、生物医学和转化研究，包括神经影像学、心理药理学、电生理学和行为功能和疾病的神经生物学。培训强调专业发展、拨款写作、口头和书面沟通技巧，以及大脑和行为、研究伦理、实验设计和统计方面的课程。学员的成功是由一个由成功的教师和同行作为榜样的关键数量的区域网络，通过专业丰富活动和响应的导师为基础的学习氛围。这个项目的优势包括：1)该地区大量合格的西班牙裔学生；2)过去和现在的学员的生产力和成功；3)专业丰富和交流的机会，超出了个别机构提供的机会；4)教师和咨询委员会的质量和相关经验；5)机构间的转化研究机会。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The Texas Consortium in Behavioral Neuroscience started in 2002 as the first regional training consortium in the USA with the mission to increase the number of first-rate behavioral neuroscientists from underrepresented populations. It offers a new model of inter-institutional cooperation, resource-sharing, networking and supportive climate conducive to a superior research education and professional development. It creates opportunities for the success of trainees with a gift of exceptional aptitude for science that have been historically underserved by traditional training programs. It is dedicated to opening doors to many meritorious individuals for whom doors have traditionally been closed. It seeks funding to support 10 predoctoral and 5 postdoctoral trainees from underrepresented ethnic and racial groups, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, who will conduct research relevant to NIMH, NIDA and NINDS. This innovative consortium enhances the cooperation and resource allocation among 5 institutions and unifies their training effort under the leadership of highly qualified neuroscientists with proven knowledge of successful training. The faculty comprises 26 NIH-funded PIs collaborating in research and training and committed to increasing diversity, selected from 5 Texas institutions with successful records of cooperation and training of underrepresented groups: University of Texas at Austin, University of Texas at San Antonio, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Texas A&M University, and Texas A&M System Health Science Center. Broadly-based training spans behavioral, biomedical, and translational research, including neuroimaging, sychopharmacology, electrophysiology and neurobiology of behavioral functions and disorders. Training emphasizes professional development, grant writing and oral and written communication skills, as well as courses in brain and behavior, research ethics, experimental design and statistics. Trainee success is increased by a regional network with a critical mass of successful faculty and peers as role models, by professional enrichment activities, and by a responsive mentor-based learning climate. Strengths of this program include: 1) the large pool of qualified Hispanic students in the region, 2) the productivity and success of past and current trainees, 3) the professional enrichment and networking opportunities beyond those provided by the individual institutions, 4) the quality and relevant experience of the faculty and advisory committee, and 5) the inter- institutional opportunities for translational research.