Neurocognitive Aging & Analytics Research Education (NAARE)

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT To prepare ourselves for the aging of our increasingly diverse population, we must increase minority representation in the sciences, and train young researchers to understand neurocognitive aging and Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD), and associated health disparities. CSUF and USC

propose an innovative and transformative program entitled, “Neurocognitive Aging & Analytics Research Education (NAARE)” that builds upon our current biomedical research education program on data science and brain health. In the coming decades, the United States and the world will face a rapidly growing aging

population, with an insufficient number of experts trained in ADRD research to accommodate this increase. Even though ethnic and racial minorities, including African Americans, Latinos and Native Americans/Alaskans comprise over a third of the U.S. population, they are under-represented in aging studies, leaving us with

insufficient knowledge of the genetic and environmental risk factors that contribute to cognitive decline in these populations. The representation of minorities in science and biomedical fields also remains comparatively low. Increasing the number of trained researchers from these underrepresented groups may provide insights into

social contextual issues and other factors related to underrepresentation, which may subsequently promote access to these important populations in order to subsequently improve health disparities related to neurocognitive aging in these vulnerable populations. Therefore increasing the number of underrepresented

aging researchers continues to be a high national priority. The NAARE program addresses this gap as follows: Aim 1: Provide NAARE scholars hands-on research experiences: Engage three consecutive cohorts (n = 10 per year) of predominantly underrepresented minority undergraduates (50% female) in a 1.5 - year faculty

mentored, student-driven research focusing on neurocognitive aging, ADRD, and related health disparities and modifiable risk factors. Aim 2: Develop educational curricula: Traditional and multimedia curricula will be developed for NAARE scholars and also targeted towards a larger diverse student audience (n = 4,500) on

the following: basic science behind normal brain aging and ADRD; health disparities, modifiable risk factors and neurocognitive aging; neuroimaging and analytics; and research methods in neurocognitive aging. Aim 3: NAARE Scholar Graduate/Career Preparation: To ensure sustainability and student success, NAARE

students will engage in ongoing faculty advising, receive exhaustive graduate school application support via hands-on guidance, and explore first-hand, research intensive universities. In-depth mentored, yet student- owned research experiences that integrate intensive neurocognitive aging and ADRD training, and belonging

in the broader scientific community will result in successful future scientists. This program will lead to a greater number of students from underrepresented backgrounds choosing careers in neurocognitive aging and succeeding at them. Our students will become diverse role models for future students for generations to come.