Neuroscience Training at Wake Forest

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Project Summary Neuroscience PhD training has been a component of graduate student training at Wake Forest University for approximately 28 years. The field of Neuroscience is at the cutting edge of scientific developments and the Wake Forest Neuroscience Program believes its long-term returns from student training will have positive consequences for our community and nation. Neurological disorders associated with trauma, an aging population, drug addiction, neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders represent urgent local and national needs. Immediate action is required. As scientists and educators, we have a responsibility to train individuals capable of pioneering research into both normal development and function of the nervous system and into the causes and mechanisms underlying neurological disease. The goal of our Neuroscience training program is to provide students with a) A fundamental understanding of all levels of nervous system organization, from genetics, molecular, and cellular to systems and behavioral, b) The skill set that includes extensive training in experimental design and interpretation, statistical and quantitative methodology and hands on experience in state of the art laboratories to carry out meaningful and significant research in all areas of modern neuroscience, and c) An appreciation of the importance of how basic neuroscience research is key to finding treatments for neurobehavioral pathologies. This is achieved because the first, two years the program focus on providing students with the broad-based, interdisciplinary training that includes a balance of coursework with essential hands-on lab research training. With this foundation in place, students move forward using the next few years to investigate and develop a thesis project in a specific neuroscience subdiscipline such as memory and cognition, addiction and motivated behaviors, sensory integration, or nervous system changes following injury or in disease. Our program’s success occurs because in addition to an established advisory structure, students are exposed to a research setting in which collaborations and interactions among investigators using different techniques and approaches is commonplace. Additionally, while preparation for a research career in the Neurosciences remains a central focus of our program, we consider it essential for students to have access to teaching, outreach and other professional experiences to be fully cognizant of the increasing opportunities for both non-academic and non- research careers that utilize their scientific and scholarly training.