Vanderbilt Alzheimer's Disease Research Center: REC Core

PROJECT SUMMARY – RESEARCH EDUCATION COMPONENT The Vanderbilt Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (VADRC) Research Education Component (REC) will support early career faculty in establishing successful and independent research programs in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD), emphasizing the VADRC’s thematic focus of characterizing the intersection of vascular burden with ADRD at the cellular, systems biological, and population levels. The REC’s innovative and interdisciplinary training will establish a new cadre of talented early career faculty from diverse backgrounds. The REC will build on Vanderbilt’s institutional strengths in biomedical research and career development to provide a training and mentoring program that is structured, individualized, and interdisciplinary. The VADRC REC will offer specialized training in ADRD that surpasses all current institutional offerings. With assistance from the Administrative Core, the REC will select three early career faculty each year as REC Scholars who will engage in a high-quality mentored ADRD research experience for up to two years. Priority will be given to candidates who are engaged in disparities research, are new to the ADRD field, self-identify as being from an underrepresented racial or ethnic group, and have not yet received NIH funding. Applicants not selected as REC Scholars as well as program alumni will be invited to participate in curriculum offerings as REC Affiliates. The REC will capitalize on our rich institutional and faculty mentor resources to deliver comprehensive training in basic, translational, and clinical fundamentals of ADRD. REC Scholars and Affiliates will engage in ADRD-focused didactics and research skill-building seminars that robustly integrate the VADRC’s thematic focus on vascular risk factors and cerebrovascular disease. Additionally, Vanderbilt’s established professional development offerings and the VADRC’s innovative diversity, inclusion, equity, and justice offerings will position REC Scholars and Affiliates to conduct ethically and socially responsible research, refine their scientific communication skills, and develop a deeper scientific identity for long-term persistence in ADRD research. In collaboration with the Data Management and Statistical Core, all aspects of the REC training program, including mentoring, didactics, and Scholar outcomes, will be rigorously and iteratively evaluated to ensure that REC Scholars are receiving the resources and support they need within an inclusive environment to become successful leaders in ADRD. Through intensive mentoring, specialized training in essential research skills, professional development, and career advancement opportunities, the VADRC REC will amplify the next generation of scientific leaders driving innovative and equitable solutions to ADRD research challenges.