2023 Alzheimer’s Trial Recruitment Innovation Lab Fellowship Program — Application Open

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

Key Dates

  • Application period opens: February 7, 2023
  • Review of applications will begin in March 2023 and continue on a rolling basis until a fellow is selected.
  • Ideal start of the fellowship is fall 2023

Overview of the Fellowship Opportunity

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 2023. 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, clinical trial methods training, hands-on experience working on ATRIL’s research projects and 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.

Applicant Eligibility

  • The fellowship curriculum is focused on academic research with a special interest in 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 researching and/or leading future 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 diverse range of programs, such as medicine, gerontology, health policy, statistics, economics and public policy, are encouraged.
  • Locations: Either USC or Howard University campuses in Los Angeles, San Diego or Washington, D.C. (hybrid flexibility).

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. Review of applications will begin in March and continue on a rolling basis until selection.

For questions, contact Desi Peneva at peneva@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 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, USC Keck School of Medicine
Director, Section of Biostatistics & Section of Participant Recruitment & Retention, USC Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute

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
Visiting Distinguished Scholar, USC Price School of Public Policy

Mireille Jacobson, PhD
Principal Investigator, Alzheimer’s Trial Recruitment Innovation Lab
Associate Professor and Assistant Dean of Faculty and Academic Affairs, 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, USC Keck School of Medicine
Director of Neuropsychology, USC Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute

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