Summer of Translational Aging Research for Undergraduates (STARU)

项目总结 随着老年人人口的急剧增加，与年龄相关的疾病，如阿尔茨海默病 (AD)和其他退行性疾病造成巨大的公共卫生负担，目前影响到估计 540万美国人。有充分的证据表明，来自少数民族和较低社会经济阶层的老年人 有背景的人患AD和其他衰老障碍的风险更高。因此，迫切需要 增加致力于衰老和衰老研究的不同背景的科学家-- 相关的健康差距。本科生翻译性年龄研究的建议之夏(STAR U)方案由与衰老生物医学研究有关的三个公理指导：1.老年人的多样性 成人人口正在增加，与衰老障碍有关的系统性种族/民族差异 2.科学进步依赖于背景、经验、想法的多样性， 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 提供文化敏感度和知识，以了解老龄化差距的来源；以及3.尽管 接受高等教育的人数不足的少数族裔人数增加，很大比例没有 追求科学事业。Star U试图克服阻碍这些学生学习的历史障碍 从追求科学和老龄化研究的职业生涯。通过一个有组织的夏季研究计划，STAR 大学每年将为10-12名学生提供：1)神经科学领域的个人、量身定做的研究指导 老龄化；2)一系列的翻译学习机会；3)职业网络和社交经验。 研究机会将横跨以患者为中心的临床研究、认知神经科学、 基础科学，以及认知老化及其障碍的流行病学研究。明星大学的学生们将聚集在一起 正式每周一次，为期两个小时的研讨会，其中将包括一个小时的科学主题， 以及一小时的专业/学术发展。科学培训将集中于#年的主要主题 与发展科学事业相关的老龄化研究、研究方法和一般内容领域。 将通过社交聚会和研讨会促进个人和专业发展。 职业发展，学习如何找到并有效地与导师合作，平衡个人和专业 需求，选择最适合他们的研究生培训类型，有效沟通 理科方面，并有效地申请研究生/医学院。今年夏天的长期目标 针对本科生的翻译性老龄化研究是为了加强老龄化和年龄相关领域的差距 通过向它注入不同的、训练有素的科学家进行研究。

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.