Translational Research Training on Aging and Mobility (TRAM)

University Of Florida, Gainesville FL

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

Preserved mobility is one of hallmarks of geriatric care, gerontology and geroscience. The loss of mobility with aging is progressive, caused by multiple factors and does not have a simple cure. Unfortunately, mobility loss continues to lack clinical attention, robust biomedical targets, objectively-measured surveillance systems, and effective treatments. To address this unmet need, we propose to renew the Translational Research on Aging and Mobility (TRAM) post-doctoral training program to continue training 4 post-doctoral fellows per year. Despite beginning the program at the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic (March 2020), the TRAM training program adapted to meet all planned benchmarks. TRAM received 2-3 times more applications than slots available and kept all slots filled. Fellows joined TRAM from a variety of disciplines and conducted research on topics like neuromotor mechanisms of mobility in worms, shoe insoles to improve gait in mobility limited older adults and studying theta synchronization and alpha-beta desynchronization in brain regions with electroencephalography. This cross-discipline approach is a testament to TRAM’s wide range of program faculty (from 6 different colleges) who bring wide-ranging perspectives on age-related mobility loss. Collectively, fellows averaged 14 papers per year (~2 papers per trainee per year) and 4 first authored per year (~1 first authored paper per trainee per year) while enrolled in TRAM. This productivity was bolstered by TRAM’s innovative training activities — the Aging Data Blitz and Paper-in-a-Day— with the latter resulting in two papers TRAM fellow first-authored papers. TRAM’s major goals remain largely the same for the 2nd cycle, to: 1) Provide a 2-3 year integrated training program for post-doctoral fellows to create a career pathway for conducting mechanistic and clinically relevant translational research in mobility and aging; 2) continue a cross fertilized training program based on the Experiential Learning Theory; 3) continue fostering a culture for professional excellence based on enhancing rigor, reproducibility and transparency and; 4) attract, recruit and enroll persons from all backgrounds and disciplines. In this renewal, TRAM will pilot test a new education component program on Artificial Intelligence (AI) that coincides with a giant investment of $250M in faculty hires to construct advanced AI curricula and brick-and-mortar infrastructure to build a workforce attuned to AI. Certificate programs and customized online practicum education will be encouraged (but not required) to take advantage of AI education. New faculty with AI and machine learning expertise also join TRAM to serve on mentoring committees. TRAM will continue to use mosaic mentoring that will employ dual primary mentors— one from “aging” and another from “mobility” expertise— and others (advocate/sponsor). Mentees will also receive support from other archetypes like coaches, connectors and senior peer mentors. In this renewal, TRAM will train fellows who will fulfill the scientific needs and grow the research workforce for meeting the growing population of mobility impaired older adults.