University of Washington Significant Opportunities in Addiction Research (UW-SOAR) Neuroscience Doctoral Readiness Program

项目摘要 近年来，神经科学的研究和培训取得了巨大的增长。值得注意的是， 精神疾病的研究也取得了进展，这增加了我们的知识， 围绕着神经生物学和药物使用和成瘾的潜在机制。不过这 增长并没有转化为历史上被边缘化群体的培训机会， 少数民族、经济弱势群体和残疾人。 在培训、指导和教育方面的这些差异，对于研究 吸毒成瘾，因为与吸毒和吸毒成瘾有关的危害对少数群体和 服务不足的社区。因此，至关重要的是， 这一代神经科学家反映了我们社会中所有不同的群体。我们认识到 这种研究经验不仅是提高对以下问题的认识和兴趣的一个关键因素， 神经科学的职业生涯，而且在录取和成功完成神经科学博士学位 程序.此外，我们认为，边缘化群体历来代表性不足， 在神经科学中，部分原因是在这些群体中缺乏研究机会， 本科教育。因此，华盛顿大学的主要目标是实质性的 成瘾研究（UW-SOAR）博士准备计划的机会是关闭这个 培训的差距，提供不同群体的指导研究经验，在世界一流的 神经科学实验室在UW NAPE（神经生物学成瘾，疼痛和情绪）中心。 这种经验将与独特的教育和专业发展机会相结合 以促进他们的招聘和成功的神经科学博士课程。实现这一 目标，我们的计划旨在1）增加跨差异的多个维度的代表性 (race、种族、性别、地域、能力等）在学士后研究人员中， 提高科学的质量和多样性，2）推进录取和保留不同的 神经科学博士课程的学员群体，以及3）确定 SOAR计划通过评估过程。

Project Summary Neuroscience research and training have seen tremendous growth in recent years. Of note, this progress has extended into the study of psychiatric disorders, which has increased our knowledge around the neurobiology and mechanisms underlying drug use and addiction. Nonetheless, this growth has not translated into training opportunities for historically marginalized groups, including ethnic minorities, people from economically disadvantaged groups and people with disabilities. These disparities in training, mentoring and education are particularly concerning for the study of addiction, as the harms related to drug use and addiction disproportionally affect minority and underserved communities. Thus, it remains critically important that our mentoring of the next generation of neuroscientists is reflective of all the diverse groups in our society. We recognize that research experience is not only a key factor in bolstering awareness and interest in neuroscience careers, but also in the admittance and successful completion of neuroscience PhD programs. Furthermore, we believe that the historic underrepresentation of marginalized groups in neuroscience stems, in part, from a lack of research opportunities in these groups during their undergraduate education. Thus, the primary objective of the University of Washington Substantial Opportunities in Addiction Research (UW-SOAR) Doctoral Readiness Program is to close this gap of training by providing diverse groups with a mentored research experience in a world-class neuroscience laboratory in the UW NAPE (Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain and Emotion) Center. This experience will be coupled to unique educational and professional development opportunities to facilitate their recruitment and success in neuroscience doctoral programs. To achieve this goal, our program aims to 1) increase representation across multiple dimensions of difference (race, ethnicity, gender, sex, geography, ability, etc.) among postbaccalaureate researchers to improve the quality and diversity of science, 2) advance the matriculation and retention of diverse groups of trainees in Neuroscience PhD programs, and 3) determine the effectiveness of the SOAR program through an evaluation process.