Psychology of Alcohol and Addiction Training

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Abstract This competing continuation application seeks an additional five years of support for a pre- and post-doctoral training program in the psychology of alcohol and addiction. The training program is housed in the Department of Psychological Sciences at the University of Missouri-Columbia (MU) and has been led by Kenneth J. Sher since its inception in 2002. The program takes advantage of a concentration of alcohol and addiction scientists at MU, as well as affiliated addiction scientists at the Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM) and MU’s sister campus, the University of Missouri – St. Louis (UMSL). The program has had remarkable success in producing addiction scientists who have gone on to noteworthy careers at leading institutions. The program will be co-directed by Drs. McCarthy and Sher for the proposed award period. The 28 training faculty includes both Preceptors and Secondary Mentors, with Preceptors serving as primary mentor and coordinator of a trainee’s experiences. Trainees are mentored to develop the skills and competencies needed to become independent investigators, direct their own research programs, and serve as effective members of multidisciplinary research teams. Trainees are drawn from Psychological Sciences, but receive training in the diverse research areas represented among the training faculty, including molecular and behavior genetics, behavioral pharmacology, nosology, cognitive neuroscience, ecological assessment, comorbidity, psychophysiology, community-based research, longitudinal research, clinical interventions, health disparities, decision making, and quantitative methods. Training that integrates biological, psychological, and social factors is critical for advancing alcohol and addiction science, as the next generation of researchers must adapt to rapidly changing science and function effectively in multidisciplinary research teams. For the proposed period of award, we request to maintain our current level of 6 pre-doctoral and 3 post-doctoral trainees for all 5 years of support. Pre-doctoral trainees will typically have a two-year training period, while post- doctoral trainees will typically have a three-year training period. Pre-doctoral trainees are guaranteed a total of five years of support from the Department, and will be supported by other mechanisms (e.g., fellowships, research assistantships, F31 awards) in the remaining years of training. Post-doctoral trainees typically will move into faculty or research scientist positions at the conclusion of their period of support, usually at other institutions. Program specific training components include: 1) a formal course in alcohol and addiction studies, 2) a weekly program workshop, 3) required non-thesis/dissertation research, 4) a grant writing course and writing workshop, 5) attendance at regularly scheduled colloquia, 6) attendance at the annual RSA meeting, and 7) some exposure to alcohol-related clinical experiences (for some pre-doctoral trainees). Post-doctoral trainees typically have additional experiences tailored to fit their training needs. The training program is evaluated on an ongoing basis through both informal and formal means.