In 2030, roughly a fifth of the total population in the US will be over age 65.The rising number of seniors with
Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRDs) and multiple comorbidities requires new evidence-based
clinical care strategies. With their ability to combine their medical knowledge with the tools of epidemiology,
basic science, and social science, physician-scientists play a critical role in identifying questions at the bedside
and developing novel approaches to prevent, diagnose, treat, and manage ADRD. Despite the unique skills
and perspectives of physician-scientists, the pipeline of such trainees has been in decline. This represents a
major gap in the development of physician-scientists prepared to contribute to ADRD research. The mission of
the Duke University Creating ADRD Researchers for the Next Generation-Stimulating Access to Research in
Residency (CARiNG-StARR) Program is to train physician-scientists in biomedical research to cultivate
investigators who will lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of new translational and clinical
modalities to address ADRD. CARiNG-StARR will train resident-investigators across three clinical disciplines:
Family Medicine, Psychiatry, and Neurology focusing on three areas: 1) novel links and prevention
strategies 2) comorbidities and care models, and 3) ADRD-related health disparities. The program will consist
of four training components: 1) comprehensive didactics covering basic, translational, and clinical research and
professional development with emphasis placed on research in ADRD; 2) development and completion of an
ADRD research project and an individualized career development plan; 3) a record of accomplishment of
scholarly activity in the field of ADRD; and 4) eligibility for board certification in Family Medicine, Psychiatry, or
Neurology, and continuation of clinical and research training in a sub-specialty or fellowship. CARiNG-StARR
will be led by an Executive Committee (EC) of MPIs Anthony Viera, MD, MPH (Family Medicine) and Heather
Whitson, MD, MHS (Duke Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development), and a CARiNG-StARR
Associate Program Director from the Office of Physician-Scientist Development, along with an Expanded EC of
Residency Program Directors and a Program Coordinator, capitalizing on a robust array of resources and a
team of 42 multi-disciplinary, well-funded, and experienced faculty preceptors/mentors working in
ADRD and relevant fields. This application requests support for three resident-Investigators each year with
each trainee supported for 12-months of research during the duration of their residency. Upon completion,
these individuals will be prepared for further training in a research-intense fellowship, competing for extramural
funding, and becoming the next generation of physician-scientists leading and mentoring trainees in clinically-
oriented research focusing on ADRD. Achievement of the program's objectives will fulfill urgent needs for: 1)
more full-time academic physician-scientists and mentors in medical schools throughout the country and 2)
innovations and clinical translation of novel strategies to improve the health and care of people with ADRD.
