The Native Alzheimer’s Disease Resource Center in Minority Aging Research (NAD-RCMAR) aims to better understand, intervene on, and mitigate the Alzheimer’s disease health disparities experienced by American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. NAD-RCMAR funds social and behavioral pilot studies that advance the field through its Research Education Program, a career development program that provides early- to mid-career investigators the skills and mentorship to better advance Alzheimer’s disease research.
In 2018, NAD-RCMAR launched its first Research Education Program Cohort, an 18-month training program during which participants complete both a pilot study and a grant proposal. The goals of the NAD-RCMAR pilot studies are to encourage junior investigators to pursue Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) health disparities research, especially with our priority populations; to publish articles on their research in peer-reviewed journals; and to obtain NIH and other external funding. The participants completed their prerequisite training and continue to meet with their mentors on a regular basis to carry out their pilot study experimental designs. The first NAD-RCMAR training meeting is scheduled for April 29-30, 2019, in Seattle, Washington, and will serve as an opportunity for investigators to complete a mini-course on ADRD health disparities, present and receive feedback on their pilot studies, and meet with their mentorship teams. NAD-RCMAR is currently accepting applications for its second Research Education Program Cohort, and participants will be selected by the end of June 2019.