Alcohol Research Training in Neurosciences

University Of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr, Albuquerque NM

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

The Alcohol Training Program in Neurosciences at the University of New Mexico (UNM-ARTN) has increased visibility of alcohol research across campus. Since 2003, the UNM-ARTN grant has supported 34 trainees, 12 in the past 5 years. Since 2006, we have filled all our training slots and trainees have been well distributed among the training faculty. The objective of the UNM-ARTN is to support the training of young researchers and provide them with in-depth knowledge of different areas of alcohol research and multiple technical approaches to tackle important questions in this field. UNM-ARTN program provides training in molecular biological, biochemical, electrophysiologic, imaging, and behavioral approaches to 4 Ph.D. students per year, and at this point, 93% of former trainees have obtained their Ph.D. degrees. The Training Faculty has strengths in three areas of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder research: 1. Basic mechanisms involved in ethanol neuro-teratogenesis; 2. Biomarkers of prenatal alcohol exposure; and 3. Therapeutic interventions to ameliorate FASD-related cognitive deficits. Our initiatives including a Trainee Orientation Program, an expanded UNM-ARTN Research Seminar and increased collaboration across training programs at UNM that will promote skills development and successful transitions into competitive postdoctoral fellowships and careers in the biomedical research workforce. A total of 15 faculty members from the Departments of Neurosciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Psychology serve as Core Faculty. All are funded via R00, R01, R21 or P50 mechanisms, are highly productive; have a track record of successful research mentoring or strong mentor training; and have extensive collaborative interactions in terms of research grants, publications, and mentoring of graduate students. Predoctoral trainees are drawn from the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program of the UNM Health Sciences Center and the Cognition, Brain and Behavior Program of the UNM Psychology Department. The program supports 4 Ph.D. students per year, typically for a 2-3-year period. The program is overseen by Drs. Brigman and Clark, who will ensure trainees are well supported in both the BSGP and CBB programs, a Steering Committee composed of selected members of the Training Faculty and a student representative, and Internal and External Advisory Committees. Our current and past trainees have been very successful in presenting at scientific meetings, and publishing in peer-reviewed journals. To date, they have obtained 14 predoctoral fellowships/ supplements. The majority of our former trainees have gone on to pursue careers in biomedical research or postdoctoral training at research-intensive programs Our goal is to continue to provide promising graduate students with the necessary high-quality training to prepare them for a successful future career in alcohol research.