Research and Education Component

University Of Washington, Seattle WA

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

Research Education Core- Project Summary Research into the causes, presentation, prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) increasingly demands a team-based multi-disciplinary approach that includes clinicians, clinical and basic science researchers. The goal of the University of Washington Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center Research Education Component (UW ADRC REC) is to foster the development of a thriving, innovative and diverse ADRD research community that can define the varied biological and mechanistic drivers of ADRD. (1) The UW ADRC REC will provide a two-year broad-based curriculum to REC Trainees, including basic, translational and clinical research trainees, in order to establish a common understanding of the clinical presentation of ADRD as they are ere encountered in the clinic and studied in the lab. REC Trainees travel and participation in training in statistics in big data will be supported. (2) The UW ADRC REC will provide support to REC Investigators new to the UW ADRC or entering the ADRD research field for the first time in accessing and interacting with the vast array of expertise, data and resources available within the UW ADRC ecosystem. This will include the assignment of ADRD mentorship dyads to support project, grant and career development, and access to the ADRC REC Navigator who will facilitate the connection with and use of ADRC resources by the Investigator. This support is explicitly targeted to include young investigators whose developing research programs will form the pipeline for research utilizing resources and data generated by the UW ADRC in the future. (3) The UW ADRC REC will initiate an “Emerging Leaders” Program whose focus is on the development of a young and diverse cadre of future research leaders and administrators. Promising REC Investigators and other junior-to-mid-level faculty members within the UW ADRC community will be identified, and their affinity with specific UW ADRC Cores defined. These REC Emerging Leaders will be paired with Core Lead/Co-Lead dyads as leadership mentors, and will take part in the leadership and direction both of the Core and the ADRC more generally. Research leadership will be developed through bi-monthly mentorship sessions with other internal UW ADRC Research Leaders, leadership of other affiliated UW and external centers, and with leadership of other ADRCs nationwide. Through this cadre-based exposure and training, REC Emerging Leaders will be able to assess their own interest and capacity for research administration and leadership, and will develop the skills and network connections to enable them to move into such positions either within the UW ADRC, other external ADRCs, or at other research centers. Through this vehicle, we will specifically focus on Emerging Leaders from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds, helping to support the development of a diverse group of future research leaders in the UW ADRC research environment.