BRAiN: Building Research Achievement in Neuroscience

描述（由申请人提供）：建立神经科学（大脑）研究成果：通过机构合作伙伴关系的学生培训将通过准备落基山脉和西南地区的不同本科生成功进入神经科学博士课程来弥合神经科学研究参与差距。BRAiN联合了不同机构现有的正式研究和教育项目：科罗拉多大学丹佛分校安舒茨医学院的神经科学研究生项目（UCD-AMC的NSP）是T32神经科学培训基金的所在地；新墨西哥州立大学（NMSU）的RISE to Excellence生物医学研究教育项目，这是一所为西班牙裔少数族裔服务的机构；以及科罗拉多大学丹佛市中心校区（UCD-DT）心理学系的本科生大脑和行为项目。BRAiN希望通过与科罗拉多州立大学普韦布洛分校和该地区其他学院的发展伙伴关系来扩大规模。通过追求三个具体目标，将使广泛参与神经科学/行为博士管道成为可能：(1)从全国生物医学和行为神经科学研究中代表性不足的不同人口群体中招募67名脑学者；(2)培养脑学者的神经科学/行为研究专业知识和专业技能；(3)通过招收研究生课程留住神经科学/行为研究领域的脑学者。BRAiN将提供密集的培训，将指导独立研究与学生发展丰富的神经科学核心概念知识库相结合。课程整合将通过共同的神经科学系列研讨会和神经科学核心课程来实现。重点将放在通过诸如神经科学导师学院之类的活动来提高指导技能上，教师们将在那里开会讨论学生培训、项目评估和课程改革。总的来说，拟议的活动将在多个地点提供综合研究和专业发展经验，利用21世纪的科学调查资源，并响应当代学生生活的实际方面。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Building Research Achievement in Neuroscience (BRAiN): Student Training through Institutional Partnerships will bridge the Neuroscience research participation gap by preparing diverse undergraduates in the Rocky Mountain and Southwest Region for successful entry to Neuroscience Ph.D. programs. BRAiN unites preexisting formal research and education programs at diverse institutions: the Neuroscience Graduate Program at the University of Colorado Denver in the Anschutz Medical Campus (NSP at UCD-AMC), home to a T32 Neuroscience Training Grant; the RISE to Excellence biomedical research education program at New Mexico State University (NMSU), a Hispanic serving minority institution; and the undergraduate Brain and Behavior program of the Department of Psychology at the University of Colorado Denver downtown campus (UCD-DT). BRAiN aspires to expand through developmental partnerships with Colorado State University- Pueblo and other colleges in the region. Broad participation in the Ph.D. Neuroscience/Behavior pipeline will be enabled through pursuit of three specific aims: (1) Recruitment of 67 BRAiN Scholars from diverse demographic groups that are nationally underrepresented in biomedical and behavioral neuroscience research; (2) Development of the Neuroscience/Behavior research expertise and professional skills of BRAiN Scholars; (3) Retention of BRAiN Scholars in Neuroscience/Behavior research through enrolment in postgraduate programs. BRAiN will provide intensive training that combines mentored independent research with student development of a rich knowledge base in Neuroscience core concepts. Curriculum integration will be achieved through a common Neuroscience Seminar Series and a Neuroscience Core Course. Emphasis will be placed on enhancement of mentorship skills through activities such as the Neuroscience Mentor Academy where faculty will meet to discuss student training, program evaluation, and curriculum reform. Taken together, proposed activities will provide an integrated research and professional development experience across multiple sites that leverages 21st century resources for scientific investigation and is responsive to practical aspects of contemporary student life. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Building Research Achievement in Neuroscience (BRAiN): Student Training through Institutional Partnerships will fulfill the goal of RFA-MH-10-070 (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-MH-10-070.html) to encourage and prepare undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds to enter Ph.D. degree programs in the Neurosciences. This is an important goal because as stated in the RFA, demographic profiles from the NSF and reports from the National Academies reveal the national need for developing a well-trained workforce in biomedical and behavioral sciences and the continuing importance of developing a strong, vital scientific workforce whose diversity reflects that of our nation.