The mission of the USF Health ERA PREP is to train post-baccalaureate (post-bac) students and provide them access to mentors and intensive research experience to enter PhD and MD/PhD programs, with the goal of expanding and enriching the research workforce dedicated to the prevention, treatment, and cure of AD/ADRD.

How it Works

The ERA PREP Program begins in August. Students will have the opportunity to shadow various neuroscience labs to identify a primary research mentor. Students will also form a mentor team to support their research and professional development. Working under the guidance of their research mentor and mentor team, the student will spend 1-2 years engaging in full-time research as well as gaining experience in graduate education by enrolling in select graduate-level courses, and participating in workshops and seminars.

Curriculum

During an initial one-month bootcamp, ERA PREP participants will establish common skills and understanding of the basics of research and success skills for graduate study. Topics will include:

• Intensive research skills and professionalism

• Time management

• Note-taking, Study and test-taking skills

• Scientific communication, statistics, and experimental design

• Drafting a research plan

• Literature searches and literature reviews

• Manuscript writing

Following bootcamp, PREP students will attend bi-monthly workshops led by faculty and research professionals on topics related to AD/ADRD research, basic research methods, and essential skills for success in a research career.

Students will also take select graduate-level coursework, to include the following:

• Responsible Conduct in Research

• Methods in Molecular Biology

• Principles of Molecular Medicine

• Basic Medical Neuroscience

• Neuroimmunology

These workshops, courses, and other aspects of the education plan are designed to help PREP scholars meet basic needs to succeed in AD/ADRD research careers.

Benefits of ERA PREP

• Personalized plan created for each scholar to outline 1-2 years of research and educational goals

• Multi-dimensional mentoring team for each PREP Scholar, consisting of the research mentor, a peer mentor (graduate student), and an outside of the discipline mentor to support professional development

• Workshops and social activities coordinated for the ERA PREP cohort, as well as integration with other graduate programs

• Participation in seminars and journal clubs

• Application support for PhD or MD/PhD programs

• Salary with benefits