Psychology Training in Alcohol Research (PTAR)

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The purpose and objectives of this training grant are to increase recruitment and retention of outstanding scientists in alcohol research careers, through providing high-quality alcohol research training and career development support for pre- and postdoctoral trainees in psychology and related disciplines. The Psychology Training in Alcohol Research (PTAR) program has been successfully producing skilled alcohol research scholars for the past 39 years. The program provides research training in the combined areas of etiology, prevention, and treatment of alcohol use disorder, approaching these questions from both psychosocial and bio-behavioral perspectives and supporting research with both human subjects and animal models. Psychology is in a unique position to provide this combined emphasis as the field encompasses a number of specialty areas that bear directly on the study of alcohol and bridge to other key disciplines relevant to alcohol research. The training faculty includes 35 individuals within these specialty areas who maintain appointments in Psychology, Psychiatry, or related departments at the University of Washington. Faculty provide apprenticeship training and research supervision for trainees and contribute to the core educational components of the program. Funds are requested to support 5 postdoctoral and 3 pre-doctoral trainees each year. Trainees will participate in the required PTAR Core curriculum, which involves a series of courses and seminars in the field of alcohol and addiction research, as well as a grant writing/career development seminar designed to promote the transition to independence. Pre- doctoral trainees are also required to complete a core curriculum consistent with departmental requirements for a Ph.D. Required courses include: (1) statistics and general methodology, (2) a major area of study in clinical, physiological, developmental, experimental, behavioral or molecular neuroscience, animal behavior, or health psychology, or closely related areas approved by the training faculty; (3) breadth requirements intended to assure broad exposure to other areas of psychology, and (4) out of area coursework relevant to the study of alcohol use disorder and addictive behaviors. Trainees in the course of the program will be expected to (a) acquire research knowledge and methodologies relevant to the alcohol field with both human and animal subjects; (b) apply such skills and knowledge in the design and execution of both basic and applied research related to the etiology, prevention, and treatment of alcohol misuse and alcohol use disorder; and (c) develop skills in mentoring the next generation of diverse alcohol and addiction researchers, clinicians, and policymakers.