Training in Research Undergraduate Experience through the Rutgers Addiction Research Center: The TRUE RARC Scholar Program

PROJECT SUMMARY We propose to develop an undergraduate research program that promotes the advancement of students from underrepresented (UR) groups in the field of addiction research: the Training in Research Undergraduate Experience through the Rutgers Addiction Research Center, the “TRUE RARC” Scholar Program. The lack of

diversity among addiction scientists is associated with real opportunity costs, from hindered scientific innovation to persistent disparities in outcomes of substance use treatment for diverse populations. Undergraduate research programs are necessary to remedy underrepresentation, as they build a bridge to

advanced STEM degrees by helping students envision a future career in research, learn foundational research skills, and build competencies and self-efficacy. Rutgers is an ideal environment in which to build an undergraduate addiction research training program. As The State University of New Jersey, Rutgers enrolls

>45K undergraduates across three campuses, each of which ranks highly in diversity and social mobility for low-income students. Further, Rutgers is home to the largest comprehensive addiction research center in the United States, consisting of >150 researchers representing more than 40 departments and schools, that

closely coordinates with Rutgers Health, which provides substance use services across the state of New Jersey. The specific aims of our proposal for the TRUE RARC Scholar Program are: (Aim 1) Develop an innovative three course sequence (Data Science & Addiction Research 1 & 2, followed by a Capstone course)

to teach students about the foundations of addiction research and data science methods, culminating in a digital badge representing measured competencies. Our course sequence will make use of the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study data, introducing students to a hallmark NIH resource, while

teaching them about interdisciplinary addiction research, including genetics, neuroscience, and social/ environmental influences on substance use outcomes. (Aim 2) Upon completion of their foundational coursework, engage 10 or more students from underrepresented backgrounds in six-month, mentored research experiences in RARC faculty labs, culminating in a research presentation at the annual RARC

symposium. (Aim 3) Provide professional development opportunities for career readiness and graduate school matriculation by collaborating with our robust network of academic, industry, state, and health care partners. (4) Create a national resource for addiction research education by building a web repository to publicly

disseminate core aspects from our proposed program, and that of other RARC-affiliated and NIDA/NIAAA- sponsored training programs, including coursework and professional development content. This will expand the impact of our undergraduate training program beyond the Rutgers campuses. In summary, our program will

build an undergraduate pipeline into a range of graduate programs, and create associated resources for the field, to significantly remedy underrepresentation among addiction scientists.