SDSU ADAR Program

San Diego State University (SDSU) is applying for a second competitive renewal to continue its National Institute of Aging MSTEM: Advancing Diversity in Aging Research (ADAR) Undergraduate Education program to increase the number of highly qualified underrepresented racial and ethnic minority students, students with disabilities, and disadvantaged students who enter Ph.D. programs focused on aging research. Consistent with the NIA program announcement, the SDSU ADAR program provides: 1) 3 years of structured research experiences with outstanding mentors; 2) tailored learning opportunities; 3) an emphasis on the relevance of aging and of the science of aging to the scholars’ lives; and 4) activities to engage students to develop a cadre of graduates who will go on to research careers that will diversify the research workforce on aging. The SDSU ADAR program has three unique features. One is that SDSU benefits from a partnership between SDSU and the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). The partnership has a long history of highly successful joint doctoral programs, training grants, and research collaborations. In addition, partnering with UCSD provides ADAR scholars with research opportunities available through its medical school. A second unique feature of the SDSU ADAR program is an extramural research experience at leading research institutions that all scholars complete during their second summer. This transformative experience provides the scholars many benefits, including becoming part of a research group at what often is the scholar’s first extended journey away from home. The third unique feature of the SDSU ADAR program is a seminar series entitled Becoming a Culturally Competent Alzheimer’s Disease Researcher, which is an innovative two-semester sequence intended to (1) build scholars’ knowledge about Alzheimer’s disease and determinants of disparities in Alzheimer’s disease, (2) prepare scholars to apply effective research skills in their research with diverse populations affected by Alzheimer’s disease, and (3) increase scholar’s resilience for success in doctoral programs and research careers. SDSU has a wealth of eligible and motivated students. The SDSU ADAR PI has more than 20 years of experience in developing and leading successful training programs, and the program benefits from dedicated and nationally recognized research mentors who have made major contributions to the field of aging research. During the current funding period, the SDSU ADAR program has been extremely successful, as evidenced by 92% of the four graduating cohorts entering excellent graduate programs in the field of aging. With these attributes and a training program that has successfully placed ADAR scholars into top- notch Ph.D. programs, the SDSU ADAR program is well positioned to continue to meet the goals of the National Institute of Aging MSTEM: Advancing Diversity in Aging Research (ADAR) Undergraduate Education program.