Our predoctoral training program provides graduate students in the Psychological & Brain Sciences department with the opportunity for dedicated time to further specialize in aging research.
Trainees will gain exposure to research across a broad spectrum of topics including cognitive changes in aging, cognitive neuroscience of aging, personality and socio-emotional aging, and translational impact. Trainees will have access to the expertise of our Affiliated Faculty through seminars, courses and as committee members on subject matter examination and dissertations.
All trainees will enroll in the Psychology of Aging course to provide foundational knowledge across a spectrum of aging topics. For the newly developed Project Building in Aging and Development course, which is also required, trainees will develop a research project in the form of an NRSA grant proposal.
Trainees also have the opportunity to take additional elective courses and participate in peri-curricular activities. These activities could include aging-related course work that exposes the trainee to areas of aging outside of their primary area (e.g., Biology of Aging, Social Gerontology), short courses on grantspersonship or other relevant workshops.
In addition to the weekly Aging & Development brownbag, trainees are expected to attend one other research talk series. They are also encouraged to present their research to at least one national or scientific meeting with support through the training grant.
We have been highly effective in predoctoral training. Since 2010, 28 program trainees have completed their PhDs. All are currently employed in fields related to their training.