UNC-CH Summer Research Training in Aging for Medical Students

Univ Of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill NC

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract The overarching goal of the UNC-CH Summer Research Training in Aging for Medical Students (UNC-CH MSTAR) Program, funded since 2010, is to continue to serve as a national resource for preparing early career medical and osteopathic students to design, conduct, analyze, author, and present independent research in the field of aging. Our vision is to serve as a pipeline to expand the number of physician scientists who will address gaps in knowledge that can be translated into interventions and treatments to address the complex needs and health conditions of older adults. Our specific aims are: Aim 1. Match the incoming UNC-CH MSTAR trainees to carefully selected, outstanding, funded faculty mentors, who will help nurture a growing interest in geriatrics/gerontology research by role modeling. Aim 2. Provide foundational knowledge in geriatrics/gerontology research, including topics on ethics and responsible conduct of research, delivered through interactive, innovative, and didactic learning strategies. Aim 3. Evaluate yearly the UNC-CH MSTAR Program to determine the success of the program, and track outcomes to institute improvements. Aim 4. Select eighteen (15 NIA funded) medical and osteopathic pre-doctoral trainees yearly, who will dedicate 2 to 3 summer months to work on an aging-related research project in areas relevant to the NIA mission. Aim 5. Ensure a diverse group of UNC-CH MSTAR trainees by maintaining broad-reaching recruitment efforts with institutions that serve diverse student populations. We will recruit 18 medicine or osteopathic pre-doctoral trainees, 15 funded by NIA and 3 by UNC-CH. Training will be based in UNC-CH Center for Aging and Health in collaboration with the Schools of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health, Social Work, and the College of Arts and Sciences. We will implement an intentional and broad-reaching recruitment plan to entice a diverse pool of applicants who will be selectively matched with faculty mentors to align their interests and skills with proposed research projects. Mentors will represent a wide array of research disciplines and will work in collaboration with trainees to develop an individual development plan (IDP) encompassing research training, milestones, and mentorship which will serve as a framework for their progression and evaluation in the program. Faculty mentors and MSTAR Advisors will provide one-on-one mentorship along with formative evaluation of student performance during the fifth week and summative evaluation at the end of the summer experience. Trainees will gain skills to responsibly conduct research and build an appreciation for the complexity, scope and impact of aging research through research workshops, reviews of the literature, development of research initiatives, data analysis, preparation of abstracts and manuscripts, and research presentations. UNC-CH remains fully committed to providing a strong foundation for medical and osteopathic student trainees to build successful academic careers that advance aging research.