GATORAADE: Gators Advancing Through Opportunities in Research for Aging and Alzheimer's Disease Education - ABSTRACT: The Gators Advancing Through Opportunities in Research for Aging and Alzheimer's Disease
Education (GATORAADE) Program aims to expand the pool of researchers and healthcare workers interested
in brain aging and Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). The program focuses on increasing
diversity in the research and clinical workforce dedicated to cognitive aging and ADRD as a way to contribute to
address the increasingly dire burden of cognitive health disparities. The GATORAADE program will target
undergraduate students in their final year and will offer a tailored postbaccalaureate program. Students will be
expertly matched with research mentors aligned with their professional goals, will be provided personalized
career mentorship and hands-on laboratory experience and extensive resources. Additionally, GATORAADE
trainees will complete an academic curriculum that covers brain aging, ADRD, and minority health disparities.
Our Objectives for GATORAADE trainees include:1) to develop an understanding of cognitive aging and ADRD
research through mentorship, didactic instruction, and networking opportunities; 2) to enhance the trainee’s
scientific efficacy via mentored hands-on research training in aging and ADRD; 3) to foster an understanding of
experimental design and data interpretation in cognitive aging research; 4) to cultivate professional
communication skills through research presentations at conferences; 5) to facilitate awareness of graduate and
professional school alternatives tailored to the trainee’s career goals and to coach them through the application
processs; 6) to promote matriculation into graduate or clinical training programs related to aging and ADRD.
Overall, the GATORAADE program emphasizes three core competencies: 1) Technical development of research
skills in aging and ADRD, with 20 students receiving year-round hands-on laboratory training (up to two years)
guided by a personalized mentorship committee; 2) Didactic instruction of foundational knowledge in aging and
ADRD mechanisms through a 12-credit academic program, after which students will obtain a Uiversity of Florida
(UF) Online Biomedical Neuroscience Certificate; 3) Preparation in useful scientific skills for career advancement
in aging and ADRD research and related healthcare fields, including effective communication and support
throughout graduate/professional school applications.
The GATORAADE program aims to bridge representation gaps and empower a diverse workforce in brain aging
and ADRD fields. By combining research experiences, academic instruction, and career development support
and coaching, GATORAADE trainees will be equipped with foundational knowledge and meaningful skills to
pursue graduate or clinical training programs. Retaining these diverse individuals will contribute to reduce health
disparities and to improve our chances of combatting aging related neurological conditions.
