Research Education Component

Project Summary – Research Education Component (REC) Alzheimer’s disease (AD) research has been at the forefront of neuroscience due to its substantive innovations in molecular biology, genetics, neuropathology, and imaging technologies. Nevertheless, a critical need still exists for professionals with specialized training to bring basic and clinical neuroscience of AD into the next

generation. REC’s goal is to develop new researchers specifically trained to discover innovative approaches to improve understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of AD and other dementias. REC’s significance is fostering the mission of the IADRC to stimulate education, information, and training; coordinate across laboratories; and

evaluate success in research education. REC’s objective is to synergize with the concepts of other cores, including Biomarkers, Neuroimaging, Dementia Clinical Core, Neuropathology, Genetics and Data Science (or simply BiNDiNGS) to students/trainees to provide leadership in training, career development, and dissemination

activities of the different Cores, thereby expanding current and future research by mentoring new scientists to be well-prepared in this transdisciplinary area and poised to make important contributions. The REC will expand current and future research by fostering new scientists from diverse backgrounds, including underrepresented

minorities (URMs), well-prepared in this transdisciplinary area, and who are poised to make important contributions. Fostering local, regional, and national collaborations of early career investigators will significantly advance the field of AD research. REC’s five Specific Aims are: 1) Provide organizational infrastructure within IADRC for research education

2) Instill integrated fundamental knowledge of brain health and dementing illnesses 3) Recruit, retain, and assist students and faculty at multiple career levels 4) Define specific metrics to assess the progress of REC in its service of mentees 5) Foster cross-disciplinary interactions and collaborations in research education among IADRC cores