The Predoctoral Training Certificate Program For Alzheimer’s Disease At The Interface Of Data Science, Engineering And Biology at Rensselaer allows students not supported by the training program fellowship the opportunity to participate in all training activities associated with the Training Program and to receive an official training certificate indicating completion of training in Alzheimer’s disease clinical and translational research.
Individuals who wish to enroll for the program are welcome to use the Training Certificate Program Enrollment Form .
Program Eligibility
All Ph.D. students are eligible to apply for the program.
Training Certificate Requirements
Trainees who have fulfilled the requirements of the Training Certificate program will be awarded a Training Certificate in Alzheimer’s Disease Clinical and Translational Research upon graduation from their Ph.D. programs.
General Information
Trainees will create a Slack account and join the NIH Training Program’s Slack workspace to post content and reminders related to Training Program activities and provide a means for trainees to communicate with each other.
The Progress and Forecast Report (PFR) provides a record of the trainee’s progression through the Training Program, and should be updated annually. Trainees are expected to maintain a record of their participation in all activities related to their training from the period of Training Program certificate program enrollment until graduation. The PFR is submitted annually to Gigi Felch via email until the time of graduation.
Trainees will design a program for the annual retreat related to objectives of the Training Program. Trainees are expected to attend and participate in the planning of this event until graduation.
Coursework
Trainees will take “Ethical Considerations in AD and AD-related Research”. This course is offered annually and Trainees will enroll at least once.
This course is designed to expose Trainees and other graduate students to overviews of the fundamental science and engineering principles inherent in research conducted by Faculty Trainers. This course is offered every semester. Trainees will enroll each semester until graduation and must achieve a satisfactory grade.
Trainees must take at least one course each from two of the core areas of Alzheimer’s disease and AD-related dementias
- Pharmacologic and Non-Pharmacologic Interventions for Alzheimer’s disease and Neurodegenerative Disease
- Biomarkers and Imaging
- Structural Biology of Protein Folding / tau
- Data Science/Data Analytics
Trainees and their advisors will select courses that align with the two selected core areas. Trainees are required to take one course outside their school and one courses outside their major to satisfy the core area requirement. Courses taken prior to enrollment in the Training Certificate program may count towards satisfying coursework requirements. A course cannot correspond to more than one core area.
Training in Professional Development
Trainees will participate in at least two courses or events or programs related to training in professional development. Announcements of professional development-related courses and events and programs will be disseminated to Trainees throughout the year. Trainees are expected to participate in all professional development activities which are sponsored/co-sponsored by the Training Program. Trainees that wish to participate in a course, event or program that is not advertised by the Training Program should make a request to Gigi Felch via email.
Training Enrichment
Trainees are required to pursue training activities related to human health, physiology and disease and other practical training for scientists. Trainees and are expected to participate in all training enrichment activities which are sponsored/co-sponsored by the Training Program. Opportunities for Training Enrichment will disseminate to Trainees throughout the year. Trainees will participate in at least two courses or events or programs providing training enrichment experience. Trainees that wish to participate in a course, event or program that is not advertised by the Training Program should send email to Gigi Felch to make a request.
Seminars
Trainees will attend the “Frontiers in Alzheimer’s Research Seminar Series” lectures. The “Frontiers in Alzheimer’s Research Seminar Series” is sponsored by the Training Program and CBIS.
