The UCLA Translational Neuroscience of Drug Addiction (TNDA) is set forth to link several successful UCLA research centers by establishing a unified training program. It provides trainees with an integrative knowledge base needed to plan and conduct bidirectional translational studies. These will include cutting-edge technical laboratory methods, computational approaches in data evaluation, and issues related to ethical treatment of human subjects. As successful researchers must also become adept at identifying sources of research funding and at preparing fundable applications that can further their independent investigation, we will provide didactic training and mentoring in these important areas, with emphasis on skills in scientific writing and presentation to enhance dissemination of research findings. TNDA trainees will usually have a primary research project in a specific mentor’s laboratory, but will gain exposure to other areas of drug abuse research through laboratory rotations, common core training elements as well as by formal and informal interaction among key faculty and TNDA leadership.
UCLA provides a unique environment for a developing scientist to become a well-trained drug abuse researcher. It offers a setting rich with resources for academic instruction, practical training, drug abuse study populations, and professional and peer relationships. Given the close links between the primary research units of TNDA and clinical research conducted by some TNDA faculty, our trainees will have the opportunity to see the bidirectional progression of research from testing a medication that shows promise in clinical trials to determine relevant mechanism and sites of action, and then to identifying new agents with the same mechanism and site of action but possessing more favorable properties.
The NIDA P20 Center for Translational Research on Addiction (CTRA) (E. London, Ph.D., PI) was funded in late 2006 and is committed to providing an outstanding venue for training junior investigators in the clinical and pre-clinical neurobiology of drug abuse with specific emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches, through engagement in the Center’s research projects, and by participating in the Center’s new Training Program in Translational Research on Drug Abuse, which will actively support these engagements.
Participating young investigators will receive specialty training in state-of-the-art approaches to research in drug addiction, leveraging both the assets of the Center and existing training program strengths. While there is specific outreach to seek qualified candidates from multiple training programs with which the Center investigators already are closely involved, candidates may apply from any UCLA pre- or postdoctoral training program and be considered on a competitive basis. Junior faculty are also eligible to apply. Complementing the training experiences in the 'home' program, the Center will provide additional didactic and experiential training, along with mentorship on the transition to independence as scientists doing translational research on drug abuse. Potential trainees at pre-doctoral, post-doctoral, and early career (Asst. Professor or equivalent) levels are eligible to apply for one of the new P20 program tracks; five training slots (two predoctoral, two post-doctoral, one early career) will be offered on a competitive basis.
The Center’s Administrative Core recruits, selects, mentors, and evaluates trainees, together with the leaders of the affiliated program(s). Features of the Training Program include:
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Submitted by System Admin on 2009, July 7 - 19:50
Jane & Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior
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Jane & Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior
