Collaborative Research: REU Site: Training Diverse Undergraduate Teams of Veterans and non-Veterans to Conduct Trauma Research with Veterans

该项目由SBE董事会的本科生研究经验（REU）网站计划资助。这个特殊的REU的内容和结构提供了科学和社会效益，除了整合教育和研究。具体来说，我们的社会可以从更好地了解PTSD中受益，因为美国成年人PTSD的终生患病率相对较高，估计为6.8%。我们计划的重点是培训本科生进行创伤相关的研究，以提高我们对创伤后应激障碍的理解。该REU网站通过招募退伍军人（特别是少数民族和妇女，如果可能的话）作为参与者，扩大了代表性不足的群体的参与。退伍军人的这种包容性为他们提供了一个机会，在一个安全的环境中，在适当的支持下融入本科研究文化。此外，退伍军人参与创伤相关研究的设计和实施与其他退伍军人构成了一个新的应用“参与式研究”。除了给退伍军人参与者带来直接好处之外，非退伍军人参与者也认识到在特定人群成员的直接投入下进行创伤相关研究的价值。这个REU网站是锡拉丘兹大学、纽约州立大学奥斯韦戈和纽约州立大学上州医科大学的共同努力，每年为8-10名学生提供一个结构良好的项目。该网站提供了一个在线的2周的方向，以及研究指导和课程，在为期6周的暑期研究所由高素质和富有成效的教师，有参与本科生在他们的研究的跟踪记录。除了这些教师导师，来自不同的军事和非军事背景的几个顾问提供了一个新颖的视角组合，以解决多学科的研究问题作为演讲系列的一部分。该项目利用了锡拉丘兹大学、纽约州立大学北部医学中心和纽约州立大学奥斯韦戈的资源，包括研讨室、实验室和住房。关于对项目参与者的影响，我们希望提高学生进行创伤研究的能力，并增加他们进入研究生院的机会。关于科学价值，多个项目涉及学生和解决重要的研究问题。目前的兴趣包括旨在更好地了解与各种创伤结果相关的化学，临床，认知和家庭因素的研究。能够更好地预测创伤后应激障碍的发展可以支持预防和治疗PTSD的努力。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This project is funded from the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Sites program in the SBE Directorate. The content and structure of this particular REU provides both scientific and societal benefits in addition to integrating education and research. Specifically, our society can benefit from a better understanding of PTSD since the lifetime prevalence of PTSD among adult Americans is relatively high, estimated at 6.8%. Our program's focus is on training undergraduates to conduct trauma-related research to improve our understanding of PTSD. This REU site broadens the participation of under-represented groups by recruiting veterans (particularly minorities and women, when possible) as participants. This inclusion of veterans provides an opportunity for them to integrate to an undergraduate research culture in a safe environment with appropriate supports. Moreover, veteran participation in the design and implementation of trauma-related research with fellow veterans constitutes a novel application of "participatory research". Beyond the direct benefit to veteran participants, non-veteran participants appreciate the value of conducting trauma-related research with direct input from members of the defined population.This REU site is a joint effort between Syracuse University, SUNY Oswego, and SUNY Upstate Medical University and constitutes a well-structured program for a cohort of 8-10 students each year. The site offers an online 2-week orientation as well as research mentoring and coursework during a 6-week summer institute by highly qualified and productive faculty members that have a track record of involving undergraduates in their research. In addition to these faculty mentors, several consultants from various military and non-military backgrounds provide a novel combination of perspectives to address multidisciplinary research questions as part of a speaker series. The program draws on resources including seminar rooms, laboratories, and housing through Syracuse University, SUNY Upstate Medical Center, and SUNY Oswego. With respect to impact on program participants, we expect to increase students' ability to conduct trauma research and increase their chances of admission into graduate school. With respect to scientific merit, multiple projects involve students and address important research questions. Current interests include research designed to gain a better understanding of the chemical, clinical, cognitive, and family factors associated with various trauma outcomes. Being able to better predict the development of PTSD following trauma can support efforts at prevention and treatment of PTSD.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.