The current training grant represents a crucial step in a long-range vision to create a center of excellence for minority training in neuroscience, which will serve as a model for an innovative program that addresses the national need for increasing underrepresented minorities in science. There is ample evidence that existing mechanisms have not been successful at erasing racial and ethnic disparities. This application proposes a novel, linked predoctoral-postdoctoral program for research training of underrepresented minorities. The Meharry/Vanderbilt Alliance Training Program in Neuroscience is uniquely equipped to make a difference in minority representation in neuroscience because it builds on a formal alliance between a historically black university and a research-intensive institution. Advantages include the close proximity of the two institutions, the long history of faculty interactions, outstanding program leadership, and the excellent commitment and support by the top administrators at both institutions. Recently funded initiatives targeting minority undergraduates are expected to significantly increase the quality and quantity of applicants seeking graduate training at Meharry and Vanderbilt, thus justifying a significant new investment. The present grant seeks support for ten predoctoral trainees at the alliance institutions, and also proposes a structured, mentored postdoctoral program (ten postdoctoral trainees), partnering with the NIMH Intramural Program to offer world-class faculty and facilities in neuroimaging, a rapidly advancing research area that is not well represented at the alliance institutions. The postdoctoral program focuses on the first two years post-graduation, a critical period of transition when a significant number of minority individuals change career paths or drop out. The predoctoral program is characterized by an interdisciplinary curriculum combined with state-of-the-art research opportunities, while the postdoctoral program offers an intense research experience, supplemented by didactic training as needed.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Institutional National Research Service Award (T32)
Project #
1T32MH065782-01
Application #
6488608
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZMH1-BRB-S (01))
Program Officer
Desmond, Nancy L
Project Start
2002-08-01
Project End
2007-07-31
Budget Start
2002-08-01
Budget End
2003-07-31
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2002
Total Cost
$512,439
Indirect Cost
Name
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Department
Pharmacology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
004413456
City
Nashville
State
TN
Country
United States
Zip Code
37212
McCallister, Monique M; Li, Zhu; Zhang, Tongwen et al. (2016) Revealing Behavioral Learning Deficit Phenotypes Subsequent to In Utero Exposure to Benzo(a)pyrene. Toxicol Sci 149:42-54
Chen, Chau-Kuang; Bruce, Michelle; Tyler, Lauren et al. (2013) Analysis of an environmental exposure health questionnaire in a metropolitan minority population utilizing logistic regression and Support Vector Machines. J Health Care Poor Underserved 24:153-71
Hood, Darryl B (2013) A note from the editor, part 2. J Health Care Poor Underserved 24:112-3
Hardaway, J Andrew; Hardie, Shannon L; Whitaker, Sarah M et al. (2012) Forward genetic analysis to identify determinants of dopamine signaling in Caenorhabditis elegans using swimming-induced paralysis. G3 (Bethesda) 2:961-75
Jules, G E; Pratap, S; Ramesh, A et al. (2012) In utero exposure to benzo(a)pyrene predisposes offspring to cardiovascular dysfunction in later-life. Toxicology 295:56-67
Owens, Sarah E; Summar, Marshall L; Ryckman, Kelli K et al. (2011) Lack of association between autism and four heavy metal regulatory genes. Neurotoxicology 32:769-75
Emeric, Erik E; Leslie, Melanie; Pouget, Pierre et al. (2010) Performance monitoring local field potentials in the medial frontal cortex of primates: supplementary eye field. J Neurophysiol 104:1523-37
Lawson, Kera P; Nag, Subodh; Thompson, Analisa D et al. (2010) Sex-specificity and estrogen-dependence of kappa opioid receptor-mediated antinociception and antihyperalgesia. Pain 151:806-15
Sheng, Liu; Ding, Xinxin; Ferguson, Marcus et al. (2010) Prenatal polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure leads to behavioral deficits and downregulation of receptor tyrosine kinase, MET. Toxicol Sci 118:625-34
Claiborne, Jomo A; Nag, Subodh; Mokha, Sukhbir S (2009) Estrogen-dependent, sex-specific modulation of mustard oil-induced secondary thermal hyperalgesia by orphanin FQ in the rat. Neurosci Lett 456:59-63

Showing the most recent 10 out of 25 publications