Predoctoral Training Program in the Neurosciences

描述(申请人提供)：这项建议是为了更新一项非常成功的神经科学培训计划；它将为5名博士前研究员提供他们为神经科学研究做出重大贡献所需的广泛背景和深入研究培训。神经系统功能障碍对公众健康和生活质量有巨大影响。此外，成像、蛋白质组学和功能基因组学以及其他领域的最新进展结合在一起，使现在是神经科学快速发展的时期，突显了这一培训计划的必要性。现有的培训计划是迈阿密大学神经科学研究的关键要素。毕克斯比博士是轴突生长和再生领域的一位受人尊敬的研究员，也是一位经验丰富的项目管理员和研究生导师。项目学院来自基础科学系和临床系，是一群杰出的、资金充足的科学家和导师，他们的研究兴趣包括现代神经科学研究主题的交叉部分，他们是研究生教育的公认领导者。现有一批优秀的实习生候选人；在过去5年中，该方案成功地吸引了这些学生(包括少数族裔学生)中的一支强大的骨干力量。该方案的总体目标仍然是指导学员完成成为独立神经科学家所需的研究技能和智力严谨的过程。这些目标是通过课程作业、研讨会和期刊俱乐部、基于研究的资格考试和其他项目活动来实现的。项目管理部门对学员、教师和项目本身的评估采用了严格的标准。该培训计划的主要优势包括：1)整个计划的研究效率、研究资金、培训经验和公认的管理能力，特别是计划主任；2)现有神经科学学生的良好资历和申请者(包括少数族裔候选人)的实力；3)有机会利用现有的神经科学计划并在此基础上提供一流的神经科学培训计划。外行总结：这项建议是为了建立一个基础广泛的神经科学培训计划，培训神经科学研究和教育领域的下一代领导者。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This proposal is for a renewal of a highly successful Training Program in neuroscience; it will provide 5 predoctoral fellows with the broad background and in-depth research training they need to make major contributions to neuroscience research. Disorders of nervous system function have an enormous impact on public health and quality of life. Additionally, recent advances in imaging, proteomics and functional genomics, and other areas combine to make this a time for rapid progress in neuroscience, highlighting the need for this Training Program. The existing Training Program is a critical element of neuroscience research at the University of Miami. The PI, Dr. J. Bixby, is both a respected researcher in the area of axon growth and regeneration and an experienced program administrator and graduate student mentor. The Program Faculty, drawn from both basic science and clinical departments, are an outstanding, well-funded group of scientists and mentors whose research interests comprise a cross-section of modern neuroscience research topics, and who are proven leaders in graduate education. There is an excellent pool of trainee candidates available; the program has succeeded in attracting a strong cadre of these students (including minority students) during the previous 5 years. The overall aim of the Program continues to be to guide trainees through the process of acquiring the research skills and the intellectual rigor needed to become independent neuroscientists. These goals are achieved through coursework, seminars and journal clubs, a research based qualifying exam, and other program activities. The Program administration has adopted stringent criteria for the evaluation of trainees, faculty, and the Program itself. Major strengths of the Training Program include: 1) the research productivity, research funding, training experience, and proven administrative capability of the Program Faculty in general and the Program Director in particular, 2) the strong credentials of the current neuroscience students and the strength of the applicant pool, including minority candidates, and 3) the opportunity to take advantage of and build upon the existing Neuroscience Program to offer a first-class Training Program in Neuroscience. Lay Summary: This proposal is for a broadly-based training program in Neuroscience that will train the next generation of leaders in neuroscience research and education.