Preparing Trainees from Diverse Backgrounds for Alcohol Research Careers - ABSTRACT
Diversity is essential to maximize scientific rigor, innovation, and generalizability in alcohol research. However,
a lack of participation by investigators and trainees from diverse ethnic and racial groups, disability status, and
disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds is a persistent challenge. Investigators from the field of psychology
are vital in the conduct of interdisciplinary alcohol research and evidence-supported treatment provision, and
integral to the dissemination and implementation of novel behavioral, pharmacological, and combined treatment
approaches for alcohol use disorders. Thus, the primary objective of the proposed alcohol research training
program, titled Enhancing Diversity in Alcohol Research (EDAR), is to address this critical need by increasing
engagement and retention of URM psychology trainees in alcohol research careers. The EDAR program is
aligned with NIAAA’s longstanding mission to support diversity in education, the NIAAA Strategic Plan for 2017-
2021, and the NIAAA Working Group on Diversity and Health Disparity. The specific aims of the EDAR program
are to: 1) attract URM psychology trainees into internship programs with robust alcohol research training
opportunities by providing individualized mentoring from near-peers and senior experts in the alcohol field,
structured didactics focused on diversity and professional development, and financial support, 2) retain URM
psychology trainees in alcohol research careers by engaging them in NIAAA-supported T32 programs and
providing them the skills to become near-peer mentors, 3) examine the effects of the program on research
engagement and career trajectories following program completion, and 4) identify barriers and facilitators to
engaging and retaining URM trainees in alcohol research. Each year, we will recruit and retain cohorts of six
outstanding psychology graduate students from diverse backgrounds during the summer before internship
application. The proposed EDAR program will provide two years of formalized didactic training and individual
mentorship including: personalized feedback on internship and postdoctoral fellowship application materials,
interview skill development, and financial support to offset trainee application and interview expenses. Thorough
program evaluation will occur with direction from an expert panel of federally-funded alcohol researchers and
educators in our Advisory Council to refine and improve the program and provide innovative data on potential
barriers and facilitators to alcohol research involvement for trainees from diverse backgrounds. The highly
qualified leadership team, strong partnerships with senior alcohol investigators leading NIAAA-supported
T32/T35 training programs, and a team of exceptionally qualified and dedicated faculty mentors will ensure that
the proposed alcohol research education program is implemented with a focus on rigor, cultural sensitivity, and
sustainability within a vibrant educational setting.