Summer of Translational Aging Research for Undergraduates (STARU)

项目摘要 随着老年人口的急剧增加，与年龄有关的疾病，如阿尔茨海默病， (AD)和其他退行性疾病带来了巨大的公共卫生负担，目前估计影响到 5.4数百万美国人有充分的证据表明，来自少数民族和社会经济地位较低的老年人 有老年性痴呆和其他衰老疾病的风险增加。因此，迫切需要 增加来自不同背景的科学家的数量，他们致力于衰老和年龄的研究- 相关的健康差异。本科生转译老化研究暑期计划（星星 U）计划由与衰老生物医学研究相关的三个公理指导：1.老年人的多样性 成年人口正在增加，并且存在与衰老障碍相关的系统性种族/民族差异 不太了解; 2。科学的进步依赖于背景、经验、思想、 和观点;增加参与衰老生物医学研究的科学家的多样性是必要的 提供文化敏感性和知识，以了解老龄化差异的来源; 3.尽管 尽管代表性不足的少数群体接受高等教育的人数有所增加，但很大一部分人没有接受高等教育， 从事科学事业。星星U寻求克服阻碍这些学生的历史障碍 从事科学和老龄化研究通过一个结构化的夏季研究计划，星星 U将每年为10-12名学生提供：1）在神经科学方面的个人，量身定制的研究导师， 老龄化; 2）一系列的翻译学习机会;和3）专业网络和社会经验。 研究机会将涵盖以患者为导向的临床研究，认知神经科学， 基础科学和认知老化及其障碍的流行病学研究。星星U的学生将聚集在 正式每周一次，为期两小时的研讨会，其中一小时专门讨论一个科学主题， 一小时用于专业/学术发展。科学培训将侧重于以下主要主题： 老龄化研究，研究方法，以及与发展科学事业有关的一般内容领域。 个人和专业发展将通过社交聚会以及研讨会， 职业发展，学习如何找到导师并与导师有效合作，平衡个人和职业 要求，选择最适合他们的研究生培训类型，有效沟通 科学，并有效地申请研究生/医学院。夏季的长期目标 大学生老龄化转化研究是为了提高老龄化和年龄相关差异的领域 研究通过注入它与不同的，训练有素的科学家。

PROJECT SUMMARY As the population of older adults increases dramatically, age-related illnesses such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other degenerative disorders present a great public health burden, currently affecting an estimated to 5.4 million Americans. It is well documented that older adults from ethnic minority and lower socioeconomic backgrounds are at increased risk for AD and other disorders of aging. There is thus an urgent need to increase the number of scientists from diverse backgrounds who are committed to the study of aging and age- related health disparities. The proposed Summer of Translational Aging Research for Undergraduates (STAR U) program is guided by three axioms related to biomedical research on aging: 1. The diversity of the older adult population is increasing and there are systematic racial/ethnic disparities related to disorders of aging that are poorly understood; 2. Scientific advancement relies upon diversity of background, experience, ideas, and perspectives; increasing the diversity of scientists involved with biomedical research of aging is necessary to provide the cultural sensitivity and knowledge to understand sources of disparities in aging; and 3. Despite increases in the number of underrepresented minorities receiving higher education, a large percentage do not pursue careers in science. STAR U seeks to overcome historic barriers that have prevented such students from pursuing careers in scientific and aging research. Through a structured summer research program, STAR U will provide 10-12 students per year with: 1) individual, tailored research mentorships in the neuroscience of aging; 2) a range of translational learning opportunities; and 3) professional networking and social experiences. Research opportunities will span areas such as patient-oriented clinical research, cognitive neuroscience, basic science, and the epidemiological study of cognitive aging and its disorders. STAR U students will gather formally once per week for a two-hour seminar session that will include one hour devoted to a scientific topic, and one hour devoted to professional/academic development. Scientific training will focus on major themes in aging research, research methodologies, and general content areas relevant to developing scientific careers. Personal and professional development will be fostered through social gatherings as well as seminars on career development, learning how to find and work effectively with mentors, balance personal and professional demands, choosing the type of graduate training that is most appropriate for them, communicating effectively in science, and applying to graduate/medical school effectively. The long-term goal of the Summer of Translational Aging Research for Undergraduates is to enhance the field of aging and age-related disparities research by infusing it with diverse, well-trained scientists.!