By Ulli Hain, NOVA Research Company/Lumina Corps
PNGC is thrilled to announce a new predoctoral and postdoctoral training program on Translational Neuroimaging in Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (ADRD). The program is directed by Dr. Corey McMillan, Associate Professor of Neurology and a PNGC faculty member, and has several PNGC faculty trainers including Drs. Li-San Wang, Mingyao Li, Christos Davatzikos, and Vivianna Van Deerlin.
The cross-disciplinary fellowship program will provide the training needed to develop a research career focused on neuroimaging in ADRD. Applications are due by June 21, 2022.
Neuroimaging is a leading strategy to understand the mechanisms underlying ADRD and a prominent biomarker approach to identify preclinical stages, evaluate therapeutic responses, and differentially diagnose ADRD.
Recognizing that modern neuroimaging is an inherently interdisciplinary field, the program will provide two years of support for predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees from biological and quantitative science backgrounds.
The core curriculum includes courses on neuroimaging methods and responsible conduct of research, experimental rigor, and transparency in neuroimaging research. Additionally, trainees will focus on one of three specializations:
- Imaging disease mechanisms (e.g., animal models and PET tracer development)
- Biomarker and neuroimaging trials (e.g., diagnostic MRI/PET biomarkers)
- Statistical and computational approaches (e.g., imaging-genomics, artificial intelligence, and machine learning)
Trainees will learn from a diverse faculty with outstanding track records of research and mentoring in neuroimaging and related fields. Each trainee will conduct a two-year research project with dual mentorship from faculty with complementary expertise.
Available Positions & Eligibility:
- Predoctoral (PhD) students: three slots for students in their 2nd–4th year in the Neuroscience Graduate Group (NGG), Bioengineering Graduate Group (BEGG), or Graduate Group in Epidemiology & Biostatistics (GGEB).
- Postdoctoral fellows (PhD or MD/PhD): two slots for fellows in their 1st–3rd year in the Biomedical Postdoctoral Program (BPP) or Bioengineering Department.
Trainees outside of the above Penn programs or outside the training windows may be accommodated. Please consult with the Program Director (info below) to discuss eligibility.
All trainees must meet NIH requirements for U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals, or individuals lawfully admitted for permanent residence.
Applicants from diverse or underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Application Procedures:
Prepare the following application materials in a single PDF:
- Research Statement: 1-page specific aims format page that describes your proposed research project using neuroimaging in ADRD. Specify how it relates to one of the three specializations described above.
- Personal Statement: 1-page personal statement that describes your past research experience and how participation in this training program will further your career goals.
- Candidate Biosketch: 5-page NIH style biosketch.
- Letter(s) of Support: 1–2 letters of support.
Please address any questions and send the PDF of application materials to the Program Director, Corey McMillan (cmcmilla@pennmedicine.upenn.edu), by June 21, 2022.