Sustained Training in Aging and HIV Research (STAHR)

 描述（由申请人提供）：本申请旨在开发，实施和评估一项创新的研究培训计划，旨在扩大NIMH资助的新研究人员在艾滋病毒和老龄化交叉点进行心理健康研究的数量。在美国，超过一半的艾滋病毒感染者年龄在50岁以上，预计这一数字还会上升。艾滋病毒和老龄化在心理健康的背景下的共存包括一个复杂的关系，一方面与身体和精神疾病，多药，认知障碍和心理社会压力源的问题，以及积极的方面，如成功的老龄化，弹性和神经可塑性。然而，有很多关于病理生理学，生物标志物和干预措施，以提高心理健康，以及治疗和预防精神疾病，包括神经认知障碍，在老年人与艾滋病毒。培养具有老龄化和艾滋病毒知识和专长的研究人员，对于促进这一领域迫切需要的研究至关重要。拟议中的持续培训老龄化和艾滋病毒研究（STAHR）计划建立在基础设施和专业知识，在两个主要的研究计划，在加州大学圣地亚哥分校（UCSD）：山姆和玫瑰斯坦研究所老龄化和艾滋病毒神经行为研究计划。它旨在解决NIMH艾滋病研究司和艾滋病研究办公室的几个战略目标。它将涉及来自加州大学圣地亚哥分校医学院不同部门的教师以及药学和工程学院，沿着来自其他机构的导师。该计划将针对来自全国各地的临床和翻译博士后研究员和初级教师，他们以前接受过老龄化或艾滋病毒研究的培训，但有兴趣获得这两个因素交叉的专业知识。每年将选出四名新学者;每个人都将在她/他的家乡机构和UCSD的共同导师中有一名主要导师。这些学者将在第一年参加为期4周的暑期研究所，并在UCSD参加为期3年的年度研讨会。STAHR的第二个目标是建立一个对艾滋病毒和老龄化研究感兴趣的导师网络，作为学员的常设资源。培训的目的是增加艾滋病毒/老龄化研究方面的知识和技能，还将包括研究过程和职业发展方面的培训。每个学者都将有一个个人发展计划，其中将概述指导活动和研究经验。创新的远程学习机会将在团队科学，资助机制，导师培训和文化能力等主题提供。其他特点包括社区利益攸关方的积极参与、小组项目、辅导会议以及广泛传播STAH结果。将对学者的职业进展进行严格的短期和长期评估。STAHR的目标是培养高质量的独立资助的研究人员，他们将为艾滋病毒/老龄化的心理健康研究做出持久的贡献，并为开发老年艾滋病毒神经精神病学的新子领域播下种子。

 DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This application aims to develop, implement, and evaluate an innovative research training program designed to expand the number of NIMH-funded new investigators conducting mental health research at the intersection of HIV and aging. Over half of HIV-infected adults in the US are over age 50, and this number is expected to rise. The coexistence of HIV and aging in the context of mental health encompasses a complex relationship with issues of physical and psychiatric comorbidity, polypharmacy, cognitive impairment, and psychosocial stressors on one hand, and positive aspects such as successful aging, resilience, and neuroplasticity on the other. Yet, there is much to be known about pathophysiology, biomarkers, and interventions for enhancing mental health as well as for treating and preventing mental illnesses, including neurocognitive disorders, in older adults with HIV. Fostering the development of researchers with knowledge and expertise in both aging and HIV will be critical for the promotion of urgently needed research in this field. The proposed Sustained Training in Aging and HIV Research (STAHR) program builds on the infrastructure and expertise available at two major research programs at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD): the Sam and Rose Stein Institute for Research on Aging and the HIV Neurobehavioral Research Program. It seeks to address several strategic objectives of the NIMH Division of AIDS Research and the Office of AIDS Research. It will involve faculty from different departments in the UCSD School of Medicine as well as the Schools of Pharmacy and Engineering, along with mentors from other institutions. The program will target clinical and translational post- doctoral fellows and junior faculty from across the country, with previous training in either aging or HIV research, but interested in gaining expertise in the intersection o these two factors. Four new scholars will be selected every year; each will have a primary mentor at her/his home institution and a co-mentor at UCSD. These scholars will attend a 4-week summer institute during their first year and an annual 3-day workshop at UCSD for 3 years. A secondary aim of STAHR is to establish a network of mentors with interest in HIV and aging research to serve as a standing resource for the trainees. Training will aim to increase knowledge and skills on HIV/Aging research, and will also include training in research process and career development. There will be an Individual Development Plan for each scholar, which will outline mentoring activities and research experiences. Innovative distance learning opportunities will be offered in topics such as team science, funding mechanisms, mentorship training, and cultural competence. Other features include active involvement of community stakeholders, group projects, sessions on mentoring, and wide dissemination of STAHR results. There will be rigorous short and long-term evaluation of the scholars' career progress. STAHR will aim to develop high quality independently-funded investigators, who will make lasting contributions to mental health research in HIV/Aging, and sow the seeds for developing a new sub-field of Geriatric HIV Neuropsychiatry.