Bringing lab and clinic face-to-face

As each discipline advances further into the far reaches of its own frontiers, it becomes challenging for bioscientists – particularly students – to maintain a perspective on how their research fits in with what's happening both in parallel fields and in clinical practice.

This pre- and post-doctoral training program aims to create scientists with a broad, “bench to bedside” understanding of the neuroscience of aging, including not only age-related neuropathologies but also the clinical manifestations and basic neuroscience of so-called “normal aging.” It provides instruction in molecular, cellular, systems, and behavioral approaches to research on age-related changes of the nervous system, as well as experience with the clinical manifestations of aging and age-related neurodegenerative diseases.

Participants will identify a primary mentor and research area to pursue while in the program. In addition, they will investigate the different aspects of neuroaging research through coursework, seminars, journal clubs, and cross-disciplinary laboratory and clinical research rotations with faculty from across the OHSU campus. Faculty areas of expertise include:

• Aging and dementia
• Cardiovascular risk and stroke
• Cognition
• Aging and movement disorders,
• Sensory function in aging
• Neuroendocrinology

Predoctoral students will participate primarily through the Neuroscience and Behavioral Neuroscience graduate programs.

For their individual projects, participants can take advantage of a broad range of OHSU's research resources, including the Advanced Imaging Research Center, the Oregon National Primate Research Center, and the General Clinical Research Center.

The perspectives gained through this program will allow trainees to continue as scientists of the neuroscience of aging with an understanding of how basic-science work contributes to clinical cures for aging and age-related disorders. Similarly, clinical research trainees will learn about how they can communicate with basic scientists on areas where mechanistic work can yield solutions for the clinical realm.

The program is open to PhD and MD/PhD students and post-doctoral trainees. Per NIH rules, stipend eligibility is limited to US citizens and permanent residents, though others are welcome to participate in program activities. Duration of appointments and stipends for the program typically last two years, pending annual evaluations.

Information

For more information or to apply for the Training in Neuroscience of Aging program, please contact:

Henryk F. Urbanski, Ph.D., D. Sc.
Senior Scientist, Division of Neuroscience
     Oregon National Primate Research Center
Professor, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology
Professor, Department of Behavioral Neuroscience
      Oregon Health & Science University
505 N.W. 185th Avenue
Beaverton, OR  97006

ph (503) 346-5496
fax (503) 346-5513
email