2024 Alzheimer’s Trial Recruitment Innovation Lab Fellowship Program — Application Closed

Applications are now being accepted for fellows for the Alzheimer’s Trial Recruitment Innovation Lab.

Key Dates

  • Application period opens: June 17, 2024
  • Review of applications will continue on a rolling basis until a fellow is selected
  • Ideal start of the fellowship is fall 2024

Overview

The University of Southern California (USC) announces an opening for a fellow to join the Alzheimer’s Trial Recruitment Innovation Lab (ATRIL) fellowship program in the fall of 2024. This two-year program is designed to train and develop the next generation of researchers interested in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) clinical trials through a multidisciplinary, active and team-based learning approach. The fellowship combines rigorous didactic sessions, hands-on experience working on clinical trials and trial-related research projects, including a mentored clinical research project using previously collected data. The training program is enhanced through interactive seminars, workshops and other learning and networking opportunities.

The fellowship is funded through a grant by the American Heart Association’s Strategically-Focused Research Network (SFRN) on the Science of Diversity in Clinical Trials along with the USC Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics, the USC Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute (ATRI) and Howard University. The fellowship stipend is $85K per year.

Application Eligibility

  • The fellowship curriculum is focused on academic research with focus in AD/ADRD clinical trials. Thus, the ideal applicant is a post-doctoral researcher who has recently completed a PhD, MD or MD/PhD and has an interest in establishing a future career in AD/ADRD clinical trials.
  • Because this SFRN aims to help end historical structures and workplace cultures that advertently or inadvertently treat people inequitably based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability, veteran status or other factors, positive consideration will be given to an applicant from a racial or ethnic group that is underrepresented in science (e.g., Black/African-American; Hispanic/Latino; Native American or Alaska Native; and/or Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander) or an LGBTQ+ person or a woman. 
  • The fellowship program will support scientists across diverse domains of expertise to gain true expertise in ADRD clinical trials. Applicants from a range of programs, such as medicine, public health, epidemiology and biostatistics, are encouraged.
  • Preferred location: Hybrid, USC Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute in San Diego.

Application Materials

Interested applicants should apply here and submit the following materials: (1) Letter of intent; (2) CV; (3) Personal statement indicating the applicant’s interest in clinical trials and commitment to diversity in clinical research; and (4) Short diversity statement.

For questions, contact Maria-Alice Manetas at manetas@usc.edu.

About Alzheimer’s Trial Recruitment Innovation Lab

ATRIL is a collaboration between the USC Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics, the USC Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute, and the Economics Department at Howard University. ATRIL’s goal is to test novel recruitment methods that shift the focus from traditional research and healthcare settings towards community-based activities (decentralized recruitment) so that clinicians can reach diverse participants who are eligible for earlier intervention trials. The Center’s two research projects build on an existing, online participant registry, the APT Webstudy, to engage, assess and recruit diverse (ethnic/racial, education, SES) participants for potential enrollment into a trial-ready cohort for immediate access to ongoing randomized clinical trials.

Alzheimer’s Trial Recruitment Innovation Lab Leadership           

Rema Raman, PhD
Director, Alzheimer’s Trial Recruitment Innovation Lab
Professor of Neurology
Director, Section of Biostatistics & Section of Recruitment, Engagement & Retention, USC Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute
USC Keck School of Medicine

Jevay Grooms, PhD
Co-Director, Alzheimer’s Trial Recruitment Innovation Lab
Co-Director, Center for Equitable Economy and Sustainable Society (E2S2)
Assistant Professor, Economics Department, Howard University

Mireille Jacobson, PhD
Principal Investigator, Alzheimer’s Trial Recruitment Innovation Lab
Associate Professor and Assistant Dean of Academic Initiatives, USC School of Gerontology
Co-Director, Aging and Cognition Program, USC Schaeffer Center

Cecily Jenkins, PhD
Principal Investigator, Alzheimer’s Trial Recruitment Innovation Lab
Associate Professor of Clinical Neurology
Director of Neuropsychology, USC Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute
USC Keck School of Medicine

Doris P. Molina-Henry, PhD
Principal Investigator, Alzheimer’s Trial Recruitment Innovation Lab
Assistant Professor of Research Neurology, USC Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute
USC Keck School of Medicine