The Research Education Component (REC) develops, expands, and evaluates research training programs to meet the biomedical, behavioral, and clinical workforce needs in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD). The REC focuses on advancing understanding of vascular and inflammatory contributions to Alzheimer’s disease and cerebrovascular disorders, with a strong commitment to serving historically underrepresented populations across New Mexico. Through close collaboration with all NM ADRC Cores, the REC prepares trainees to design and conduct innovative, translational research that addresses the needs of diverse patients and caregivers.
As the only research university in New Mexico and a designated minority‑serving institution, the University of New Mexico is uniquely positioned to lead inclusive, culturally informed research education. Many learners come from rural and underserved communities, strengthening the REC’s ability to build a diverse and representative research workforce. The REC leverages these strengths to deliver and evaluate education and training activities that support early‑career investigators, clinicians, and scientists across disciplines.
The long‑term goal of the Research Education Component is to build a robust pipeline of future ADRD research leaders equipped to drive transformative discovery, improve prevention and treatment strategies, and reduce health inequities. By integrating culture‑centered principles with rigorous scientific training, the REC expands the reach and impact of ADRD research throughout New Mexico, the Rocky Mountain region, and beyond.
Aim 1: Provide individualized, mentored training for two to five pre‑doctoral students, post‑doctoral fellows, and junior faculty each cycle through the New Mexico Leading Excellence in Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Research (NM‑LEADER) program.
This program strengthens the skills needed to conduct and lead independent, team‑based research across basic, translational, and clinical science. Trainees are selected based on their potential to contribute meaningfully to the field and work closely with expert mentors to develop personalized training plans aligned with their career goals.
Aim 2: Broaden access to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias research by building a diverse and dynamic training pipeline.
Outreach efforts engage learners at multiple stages, including high school students, pre‑health trainees, graduate and medical students, and early‑career researchers. Educational activities combine foundational knowledge with hands‑on research experience and include lectures, webinars, academic courses, an annual symposium, participation in regional and national meetings, short‑term training opportunities, career‑development programming, and a focused dementia research residency.
Aim 3: Strengthen the research workforce by preparing investigators to mentor trainees from underrepresented backgrounds and to conduct ethical, culturally responsive research with diverse patients and caregivers.
Training emphasizes engagement with rural, Hispanic/Latino, and Indigenous communities and includes curriculum topics such as aging in underrepresented populations, culturally grounded research practices, recruitment and retention in clinical studies, and effective communication across cultures. Guidance from the External Advisory Board further ensures scientific rigor, cultural relevance, and ongoing program excellence.
