Western Neurotrauma Symposium - PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the top causes of death and disability worldwide. However, due to its complexity, it remains one of the most challenging neurological conditions to treat. Advances in our understanding of TBI pathobiology and improvements in clinical care for TBI require multidisciplinary exchange of scientific ideas and encouragement of promising young investigators in the field. Our first Western Neurotrauma Symposium (WNTS) was well received and especially noted for the attention given to the trainees and early investigators. The WNTS will continue to be a unique regional conference providing an annual venue for a broad range of neurotraumatology research, with a focus on trainees and early career investigators, presentation of cutting-edge data in a safe environment, multidisciplinary collaborative ideas and a more intimate setting to allow direct interactions between attendees. This meeting will be instrumental in developing the next generation of investigators and ideas, without duplicating or replacing opportunities provided at existing National and International Neurotrauma Symposia. While the focus of continued WNTS funding would be development of regional young investigators and collaborators, attendance at the meeting would be open. The first WNTS showed participation of a more diverse population from centers throughout the Western U.S. with specific outreach and travel awards to encourage active participation of underrepresented groups in neuroscience/neurotrauma research. In 2022, this R13 supported 6 WNTS Young Investigators, 9 WNTS Travel Awardees and 2 WNTS Faculty, enhancing diversity at all levels. The additional support provided by renewing this grant for 2023 would specifically enable expanded inclusion of investigators from outside of the UC, bringing in research and clinical trainees and faculty from across the western states, for whom travel, expense and time constraints may limit opportunities for young persons to attend national or international conferences.
