Support and Preparation for an Alzheimer's Research Career

Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD) are the leading cause of dementia in those over the age of 65, leading to progressive memory loss and cognitive decline. Although the National Plan to address AD seeks to accelerate research toward treatments, there is a shortage of research scholars necessary to conduct a wide variety of interdisciplinary research projects. The Buck Institute’s Support and Preparation for an Alzheimer’s Research Career (SPARC) Program will address this need by recruiting postbaccalaureates and training them in a geroscience-inspired approach to ADRD research. This interdisciplinary approach will investigate the contribution of common processes governing aging on the development of ADRD. The multifaceted research expertise and collaborative culture of the Buck Institute provide a unique training environment to ensure the next generation of research scholars in the field are provided the knowledge and skills to reduce the burden of ADRD. The SPARC Program will be designed to increase participation of students in ADRD research and prepare them for additional training in advanced degree programs or private sector research careers in AD-related disciplines. Recent college graduates will be recruited using college and university online programs, such as Handshake and Simplicity. A one-month Introductory Training Period will familiarize postbaccalaureate scholars with core research concepts and shadowing opportunities in prospective host labs will ensure strong mentor-mentee matches during the eleven-month mentored research project, which will continue to be bolstered by training activities. Foremost, a mock grant proposal writing assignment and mock study section will provide framework for recruited SPARC research scholars to digest literature associated with their project as well as develop their scientific writing skills. Oral presentation skills will be practiced with presentations to both a lay and scientific audience. In addition to serving as a training opportunity for SPARC research scholars, the lay audience presentation also will provide an outreach opportunity to introduce local high school and college students to ADRD research and career opportunities. The scientific writing and presentation assignments not only will help SPARC research scholars to understand their projects better but also prepare them for discussion of their research in future applications and interviews. Mentors will provide additional career support both during and after completion of the program through application feedback, interview practice, and networking introductions. Training alumni can provide additional peer support through job or advanced degree program advice, application or interview suggestions, and alternative career options. In summary, the training provided by the Buck Institute’s SPARC Program will recruit and prepare new cohorts of postbaccalaureate scholars for further advanced studies or a career in geroscience-inspired ADRD research.