Frontiers in Alzheimer's and Aging Research Experiences

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PROJECT SUMMARY This renewal of R25 AG043365-10 for NIA’s “Advancing Diversity in Aging Research through Undergraduate Education (ADAR)” program, now re-entitled: “Frontiers in Alzheimer’s and Aging Research EXPERIENCES” (FrA2RE), requests support for five cohorts of ≥12 promising undergraduates annually who “…are eligible…if they are from economically, socially, culturally, or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds’ (responsive to PAR-20-317). FrA2RE concentrates on Structured Research Experiences and essential mentoring to launch and sustain careers within NIA’s portfolio. Experts investigating Alzheimer’s disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) and Aging partner with selected undergraduate trainees (applicants: acceptances is 7¼ :1), forming Trainee: Mentoring Dyads. The ADRD and aging fields continue to grow swiftly, yet there are too few laboratories led by URM scientists and too few new URM trainees. FrA2RE is directed by Gerald Schatten, PhD (Pittsburgh), with Co-Investigators Laura Niedernhofer, MD, PhD, (Minnesota), George Langford, PhD, Director of the American Society for Cell Biology’s [ASCB] new Pair-Up program, and Research Experiences Coordinator Calvin Simerly, PhD, (Pitt) forming the Executive Committee. Overseen by the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB), co-chaired by Winston Thompson, PhD, (Morehouse School of Medicine: MSM) and Melissa Walls, PhD (Indigenous Professor at JHU-Duluth), they ensure that the next generation of undergraduate trainees succeeds in their career choices. FrA2RE begins with an introductory ‘Meet and Greet’ weekend, partnering with Co-I George Langford’s Pair-Up at the MBL (Octobers). Then after ≥ year of structured research experiences, each year’s cohort completes the program with a Reunion held at the annual NIA’s ADAR summit-GSA congress (Novembers). FrA2R graduates, progressing in ADRD and aging-research careers, self-identify as 34% AA/B; 38% as Hispanic American; 71% are women, 48% are from URM institutions. FrA2RE anticipates many recruits from Tribal Nations. Five aims are proposed: I. Sponsor meaningful Structured Research Experiences. II. Ensure Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) representation. III. Demystify oversight requirements by training in responsible conduct of research (RCR). IV. Provide career planning and choices, particularly the possibility of them joining the NIA-NIH’s research workforce; and V. Evaluate, improve, and monitor FrA2RE’s strengths and avoid weaknesses with unbiased, quantitative, independent mechanisms. Thus, FrA2RE will continue to enhance and expand the research careers of the most promising scientists, while ensuring their investigations comply with NIH’s policy of ‘Inclusion of Women, Minorities, and Individuals Across the Lifespan,’ particularly NIA’s focus on improving the diagnoses, health, and well-being, among the elderly and those suffering from Alzheimer’s Dementia and Related Disorders and their caregivers, and biological, clinical, behavioral, social, aspects of aging, as well as helping to rectify inequities and increasing diversity.