Rising STARS (Scientific Training in Alcohol Research and other Substances) Program

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The University of Southern California (USC) “Rising STARS” (Scientific Training in Alcohol Research and other Substances) Program, a proposed partnership in Los Angeles, CA, with neighboring California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA) and Charles R. Drew Medical University (CDU), proposes to advance undergraduate training of underrepresented minorities (URMs) in the fields of alcohol and substance use disorders (ASUD). This unique and innovative educational and research experience program brings together three universities that are within proximity of each other in Los Angeles that together represent one of the largest pools of talented URM students in the U.S. The mission of the Rising STARS program is to develop the creativity and intellectual talents of our most motivated, undergraduate URM students with the focused goal of making their talents available to strong Ph.D. programs to enrich future addiction science research through their participation. Faculty members of the USC Institute for Addiction Science (IAS)—a transdisciplinary research and education unit with 77 faculty involved in ASUD research with substantial community engagements—in collaboration with CSULA and CDU will provide Rising STARS scholars well-designed, unique, customized, educational and research opportunities. Given the breadth and integration of the USC IAS, Rising STARS scholars will have the opportunity to train in preclinical, human laboratory, clinical, public health, and/or policy approaches that focus on ASUD research. We will provide the next generation of scientists’ real-world experiences and enrichment to propel them forward into graduate-level training and careers in ASUD and addiction sciences. Importantly, by increasing the diversity of scientists in these fields, we will provide a platform for developing distinct questions and approaches. Our program has many unique and innovative aspects: (1) we will expose students to transdisciplinary perspectives in addiction sciences early in their career, thus promoting substantial interactions with faculty and other trainees from various disciplines; (2) understanding that the clinical reality of substance abuse often involves co-use and addiction to multiple substances, many of the mentors in our program will bring experience in poly-substance use; and (3) we will address structural barriers that will allow greater flexibility for URM students resulting in greater admission opportunities at USC and nearby universities. In support of this program's diversity-enhancing goals, the Deans of the School of Pharmacy and Keck School of Medicine will provide application waivers, guaranteed interviews, and select slots of Ph.D. entry for Rising STARS graduates. This support will advance USC and Rising STARS goal of enhancing diversity within USC laboratories and Ph.D. programs. Overall, we are confident that this unique, collaborative program will expand student interest and involvement, enhance student success, and promote these talented URM students to increase the diversity in the workforce and improve research strategies by using a transdisciplinary approach of addressing ASUD.