Summer Undergraduate Research Program in Substance Use Disorders

描述(由申请人提供)：本提案要求建立一个新的物质使用障碍研究教育计划，以支持在南卡罗来纳医科大学寻求短期暑期研究经验的本科生。每年，14名本科生将有机会在主要设在神经科学系的教师导师的指导下进行生物医学研究项目。学生们进行的为期十周的暑期研究项目将在正式的科学报告中达到高潮。其他活动包括关于重点专题的系列讲座；研究伦理部分；关于科学素养、专业发展和职业机会的意义的正式和非正式讨论；以及社会职能。我们的参与教职员工组成了一个高度协作、跨学科的实验室研究人员团队。培训机会围绕四个研究领域组织：可卡因复发的神经生物学基础；甲基苯丙胺依赖的神经生物学；物质使用障碍的性和与性别有关的研究；以及压力和物质使用障碍。该项目建立并利用了(1)墨尔本州立大学对研究培训的坚定和持续的承诺；(2)在为有才华的本科生提供有意义的研究经验方面的卓越声誉；(3)其吸引来自代表性不足群体和本科院校的学生的记录；以及(4)其有效的项目管理。 公共卫生相关性：该计划的目标是吸引有才华的本科生投身生物医学科学的职业生涯，特别是与 国家药物滥用研究所。预计这将增加研究药物使用障碍的合格研究人员的供应，并通过让学生掌握适当的科学技能和对生物医学研究的欣赏来促进整体科学素养。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This proposal requests a new research education program in substance use disorders to support undergraduate students pursuing short term summer research experiences at the Medical University of South Carolina. Each year, fourteen undergraduate students will have the opportunity to conduct biomedical research projects under the guidance of faculty mentors based primarily in the Department of Neurosciences. The ten- week summer research projects conducted by the students will culminate in a formal scientific presentation. Additional activities include a lecture series on focused topics; a research ethics component; formal and informal discussions on the meaning of scientific literacy, professional development and career opportunities; and social functions. Our participating faculty constitutes a highly collaborative, interdisciplinary team of laboratory-based researchers. Training opportunities are thematically organized around four areas of research: neurobiological basis of cocaine relapse; neurobiology of methamphetamine dependence; sex and gender- related research in substance use disorders; and stress and substance use disorders. The program builds upon and leverages (1) MUSC's strong and continued commitment to research training; (2) its excellent reputation in providing meaningful research experiences for talented undergraduate students; (3) its track record of attracting students from underrepresented groups and undergraduate institutions, and (4) its effective program management. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: The goal of this program is to attract talented undergraduate students into careers in the biomedical sciences, particularly in fields relevant to the mission of the National Institute of Drug Abuse. This is expected to increase the supply of qualified investigators who are studying substance use disorders, as well as contribute to overall science literacy by equipping students with appropriate science skills and an appreciation for biomedical research.