Research Education

REVISED ABSTRACT: The Research Education Component (REC) of the Massachusetts Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (MADRC) leads the Center’s efforts to develop junior investigators into future leaders in research on Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders (ADRD) in service of the MADRC's broader theme of understanding the drivers of clinical progression. The REC was established at the beginning of the present funding cycle, building on extensive experience as investigators and educators and leveraging local resources. We follow similar organizing principles as the MADRC as a whole--but all our aims are focused on training. To contribute a formal training program, we recruit and select REC Scholars (Aim 1a) and provide cross disciplinary training and mentorship (Aim 1b). To develop cutting- edge training and networking through local rotations and partnerships, we provide training rotations on intensive cutting-edge clinical and basic research methods (Aim 2a) and develop cross-institutional partnerships to broaden training and enhance networking (Aim 2b). We partner with local programs to facilitate recruitment and training of trainees and invite and encourage mentors and lecturers for our trainees (Aim 3b), and participate in pathway programs to develop the research workforce of the future (Aim 3c). Building on existing funded clinical fellowships, T32s, K awards, and other programs, we will select 5 funded REC Scholars and an additional 7-10 REC Affiliates, typically fellows or junior faculty--clinician-scientists and basic/quantitative scientists--from academic disciplines for one-year REC training layered on top of their training or career development activities. We will provide multidisciplinary mentorship, didactics, immersive experiences, career development activities (including a future-focused leadership workshop series and general and ADRD-specific training in the responsible conduct of research); a tailored methods training; and an individualized formal career development plan. We will offer an array of methods training rotations for REC trainees and others, and develop cross-institutional partnerships with other ADRCs and local programs for extended learning and cross-pollination of ideas across Centers, provide networking opportunities, and enhance the diversity of our trainees. In parallel, we will work with the MADRC as a whole to enhancing our mentors and lecturers. Last, we will participate in institutional pathway programs to support the long-term growth of the biomedical research enterprise on ADRD.