Summer Undergraduate Research Program in Neuroscience of Addiction

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT This renewal application seeks support for our well-established research education program in substance use disorders to support undergraduate students pursuing short-term summer research experiences at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). The goal is to develop the next generation of independent researchers who can progressively enhance existing therapies and develop novel approaches to substance use disorders. The specific aims are to: 1) Foster interest in these talented and highly motivated students to pursue careers in biomedical research in the areas of addiction research by providing a forum where accomplished investigators can be mentors sharing their enthusiasm and expertise; 2) Leverage existing research training programs at MUSC to complement and expand the overall experience of the students; 3) Provide a forum where students not only acquire the basics of how to address research problems, but also learn cutting edge research techniques, research ethics, and presentation of research data; 4) Contribute to enhancing the students' overall science literacy by nurturing an appreciation of the nature of science and acquisition of socioscientific skills and values.; and 5) Implement a comprehensive evaluation plan that measures the degree to which the program is achieving its objectives. Each year, fourteen undergraduate students will have the opportunity to conduct biomedical research projects under the guidance of faculty mentors based primarily in the Department of Neuroscience. The ten-week summer research projects conducted by the students will culminate in a formal scientific presentation. Additional activities include a lecture series on focused topics; a research ethics component; formal and informal discussions on the meaning of scientific literacy, professional development and career opportunities; and social functions. The participating faculty constitutes a highly collaborative, interdisciplinary team of laboratory-based researchers. Training opportunities are thematically organized around four areas of research: neurobiological basis of cocaine relapse; neurobiology of methamphetamine dependence; sex and gender related research in substance use disorders; and stress and substance use disorders. The program builds upon and leverages (1) MUSC's strong and continued commitment to research training; (2) its excellent reputation in providing meaningful research experiences for talented undergraduate students; (3) its record of accomplishment of attracting students from underrepresented groups and undergraduate institutions, and (4) its effective program management. This R25 program will teach and promote the integration of clinical and basic science knowledge, with an emphasis on acquiring research skills in the basic neurobiology of substance use.