Research Education Component

REVISED ABSTRACT: RESEARCH AND EDUCATION CORE The overarching goal of the Research and Education Core (REC) of the Michigan Center on Contextual Factors in Alzheimer’s Disease (MCCFAD) is to increase and educate the professional research workforce addressing the brain and cognitive health of older adults. REC is central to MCCFAD because it directly educates, mentors, and supports junior and mid-career investigators. Increasing the professional research workforce, particularly those who study the brain and cognitive health of older adults is critical to advancing knowledge about and improving the care of older adults in the U.S. REC synergy with the Leadership and Administrative, Analytic, and Community Liaison and Recruitment Cores will be instrumental in achieving these aims, as will collaborations with rich resources available at the University of Michigan (UM), including NIA Centers, Inter-Consortium for Political and Social Research, the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), and partner institutions (Michigan State University, Wayne State University, Oakland University, UM- Dearborn). REC specific aims are to: (1) Support pilot studies for MCCFAD Research Scientists (RS) in ADRD epidemiology, health economics, and tailored ADRD care; (2) Provide sustainable mentoring activity for MCCFAD RS to achieve independent investigator status; (3) Offer professional development and education in ADRD disparities; and (4): Evaluate REC activities. Expert mentorship in health disparities research will primarily be provided to RS through an individualized, integrative and often trans-institutional mentoring team, a monthly seminar series, professional development sessions, and a yearly Summer Data Immersion (SDI) program to catalyze new and enduring research collaborations. Moreover, RS mentoring activities will continue beyond the year they are funded. We have designed a unique and exceptional educational experience that will increase the workforce’s interest in and knowledge about contextual factors related to ADRD. A team of expert faculty will guide these activities, which exemplify the overarching REC core value of team science. The impact of the REC is expected to be broad because we have designed activities to target and benefit not only funded RS (e.g., integrative mentoring team; monthly seminar series), but also national researchers (e.g., SDI) and the larger scientific community as a whole (e.g., peer-reviewed publications and presentations at professional meetings generated through RS pilot projects and SDI activities, workshops on the responsible conduct of research and working with NIH-designated populations with health disparities.