Building a training program to diversify the academy and advance Alzheimer’s disease research

Abstract

Background Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) are at the forefront of the United States (US) public health agenda, with a disproportionate impact on racial/ethnic minorities. Aging scholars have called for prioritizing ADRD disparities research and addressing the systems that promote research as essential to achieving equity in healthy aging scholarship. In 2018, the National Institute on Aging (NIA)‐funded, Carolina Center on Alzheimer’s Disease and Minority Research (CCADMR) was founded to increase the diversity of the research workforce in population health and ADRD disparities. The CCADMR provides underrepresented minority (URM), junior/mid‐career faculty scientists with opportunities for pilot grant funding, mentorship by senior faculty, and health disparities‐focused training. We share evaluation findings from the training and mentorship components of the Center. Method Using a mixed methods approach, we analyzed data from quarterly scientist progress reports, interviews with mentors and scientists, and health disparities seminar evaluations. Result Nine scientists have been chosen as pilot project awardees since Center inception. They represent four academic institutions and have implemented disparities‐focused ADRD research ranging from estimating the prevalence of clusters of multi‐morbidity by ADRD type and race, to understanding the determinants of ADRD for African Americans to inform the development of a social robot to engage the community in ADRD‐related activities. Scientists have presented their research at aging and ADRD‐focused conferences, each with manuscripts currently under development. Qualitative interview data (N=9) show that mentors and scientists feel positively about the CCADMR, particularly the mentorship component. Junior scientists have a strong desire to advance their ADRD research, but they face challenges partly due to their institutions’ emphasis on diversity, which typically force them to assume additional responsibilities, leaving limited time for their research. Evaluation data show that nearly 85% of seminar attendees are greatly satisfied with the speakers and content. Since the conversion to virtual seminars due to the COVID‐19 pandemic, over 90% of attendees report being “very satisfied” with speakers and content. Conclusion While the evaluation of CCADMR outcomes is ongoing, our experience may be a practical resource for others developing interdisciplinary training programs to increase the pipeline of URM scientists conducting ADRD research.