| NSF Org: |
DGE Division Of Graduate Education |
| Recipient: |
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| Initial Amendment Date: | August 22, 2018 |
| Latest Amendment Date: | August 22, 2018 |
| Award Number: | 1828993 |
| Award Instrument: | Standard Grant |
| Program Manager: |
Karen
DGE Division Of Graduate Education EDU Directorate for STEM Education |
| Start Date: | September 1, 2018 |
| End Date: | August 31, 2024 (Estimated) |
| Total Intended Award Amount: | $3,000,000.00 |
| Total Awarded Amount to Date: | $3,000,000.00 |
| Funds Obligated to Date: |
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| History of Investigator: |
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| Recipient Sponsored Research Office: |
450 JANE STANFORD WAY STANFORD CA US 94305-2004 (650)723-2300 |
| Sponsor Congressional District: |
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| Primary Place of Performance: |
452 Lomita Mall Stanford CA US 94305-4085 |
| Primary Place of
Performance Congressional District: |
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| Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): |
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| Parent UEI: |
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| NSF Program(s): |
NSF Research Traineeship (NRT), Project & Program Evaluation |
| Primary Program Source: |
04001819DB NSF Education & Human Resource |
| Program Reference Code(s): |
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| Program Element Code(s): |
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| Award Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Fund Agency Code: | 4900 |
| Assistance Listing Number(s): | 47.076 |
ABSTRACT
Deciphering how the brain works could have untold impacts on medicine, technology, commerce, and our understanding of ourselves. For example, advances in neurotechnology could lead to brain-machine interfaces to overcome sensory impairments and loss of movement due to neurodegenerative disease. Many of the most important advances in neuroscience have required interaction with technical fields such as physics, electrical and chemical engineering, bioengineering, statistics, and computer science, and this will increasingly be the case as the field advances. However, the path for top students from these disciplines to enter the field of neuroscience has always been challenging because they lack the appropriate background and awareness of key questions and technological limitations in the field. This National Science Foundation Research Traineeship (NRT) award to Stanford University will accelerate fundamental developments in neuroscience by attracting promising young talent from these technical disciplines to neuroscience and training them to be leaders in the field. The program will allow students to apply technological developments in diverse fields to the most important problems in neuroscience today and train a new generation of neuroscientists who will bring these technologies to fruition in academia, medicine, and the private sector. The project anticipates training thirty (30) PhD students, including twelve (12) funded trainees, from physics, electrical and chemical engineering, bioengineering, materials science, computer science, and other technical fields.
This traineeship program consists of a novel integrated curriculum of coursework, internship and training experiences, and outreach to achieve its goals. The program will emphasize training for acquiring and analyzing vast data sets, enabling an understanding of nervous system circuitry at a scale that was unimaginable just a few years ago, and connecting the novel data to Stanford's strength in theory, inference from large data sets, and computational modeling. The program will introduce a rigorous multi-year curriculum for trainees, building on their home-discipline training and allowing them to collaborate with each other and with the members of the Neurosciences PhD program. Training will leverage the highly successful Stanford ADVANCE program that supports new PhD students with a special summer program prior to the start of graduate training, and build on it with several approaches customized to this program. The program will be specifically designed to optimize trainee preparation for a career in academia or in a technology industry setting, utilizing internship placements with both startups and established corporations.
The NSF Research Traineeship (NRT) Program is designed to encourage the development and implementation of bold, new potentially transformative models for STEM graduate education training. The program is dedicated to effective training of STEM graduate students in high priority interdisciplinary research areas through comprehensive traineeship models that are innovative, evidence-based, and aligned with changing workforce and research needs.
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH
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PROJECT OUTCOMES REPORT
Disclaimer
This Project Outcomes Report for the General Public is displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Report are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation; NSF has not approved or endorsed its content.
Project Outcomes Report
The NeuroTech training program is designed to equip PhD students from diverse disciplines with the skills and knowledge needed to advance experimental neuroscience. At its core, the program emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, critical thinking, and innovative problem-solving, ensuring that graduates are prepared to navigate the complex neurotechnology landscape. Trainees are expected to critically assess neuroscience research, develop new methodologies, and communicate effectively within the scientific community. Beyond technical skills, the program focuses on professional growth, fostering inclusivity and providing students with tools to explore a variety of career paths.
A cornerstone of the program is the NeuroTech Training Seminar, a year-round course exposing students to neurotechnology techniques and professional skills like communication, leadership, and collaboration. This seminar fosters a supportive, integrated community, enhancing trainees’ learning and professional networks.
During the recent project period, the program expanded to include students from departments like Electrical Engineering, Bioengineering, Materials Science, Computer Science, Chemical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. Weekly training seminars provided hands-on exposure to advanced techniques, including data analysis, experimental design, and novel neuroscience technologies, alongside workshops on science communication, leadership, and career navigation. In these sessions, trainees actively presented research, engaged with mentors, and interacted with their peers, gaining a comprehensive learning experience that prepared them for leadership in the field.
Feedback from student focus groups and external evaluators has informed strategic adjustments for the next project period. A key change will shift training seminars to bi-weekly sessions of longer duration, in response to trainee feedback for more focused, impactful sessions. Additionally, new professional development workshops and community-building activities will promote collaboration, with emphasis on team science and interdisciplinary research.
The NeuroTech Training Seminar has been highly valued by trainees for its diversity of speakers, interactive discussions, and exposure to various neurotechnology research topics. Students have appreciated the chance to engage with faculty in intimate settings, often leading to further research collaborations and deeper discussions. These sessions not only enhance technical knowledge but also provide insights into diverse career options, reinforcing the program’s mission to prepare students for multiple pathways in neurotechnology.
Another key achievement is the program’s success in fostering a diverse and inclusive neurotechnology community at Stanford. The training model has established a sustainable framework that supports academic excellence and professional growth through close faculty mentorship, allowing students to thrive in a rich environment of resources and expertise. Trainees work closely with mentors to customize their academic path, gaining access to a broad scientific network and exposure to interdisciplinary research. This mentorship model has proven effective, leading to high-quality research, strengthened career development, and readiness for collaborative research roles.
The program’s results have been widely disseminated, ensuring that accomplishments reach academic and public audiences alike. Outcomes from the NeuroTech Training Seminar and mentorship programs have been featured in the annual report shared with stakeholders, funding agencies, and institutional leaders. Results were also presented at major conferences like the Society for Neuroscience and IEEE Brain, demonstrating the program’s commitment to interdisciplinary learning and mentorship.
To retain a diverse and engaged cohort, the program has implemented strategies that promote inclusivity, especially for underrepresented groups in science and engineering. From the selection phase, a diverse faculty panel evaluates applications objectively, using a structured rubric to assess applicants’ qualifications. Retention efforts include community-building and professional development activities, such as the Experimental Immersion Course and NeuroTech Training Seminar, as well as mentorship and collaborative workshops. According to the external evaluator’s report, over five years, the program has maintained a gender-balanced cohort with strong representation across racial and ethnic backgrounds, including Hispanic/Latino/a/x and Black/African American students.
A promising retention strategy is the Peer/Pods mentoring approach, pairing new trainees with advanced students or alumni based on shared backgrounds or research interests. This program provides an immediate support network and includes regular check-ins, group activities, and workshops, fostering a sense of belonging and enhancing trainee engagement. Advanced trainees also develop leadership skills, further enriching the community and promoting diverse perspectives in neurotechnology.
The program has also made structural improvements based on advisory committee feedback and external evaluations. These evaluations, conducted by Mariko Chang Consulting Inc., provide data-driven insights into program strengths and areas for improvement. Quantitative and qualitative assessments have guided curriculum updates, resource allocation, and professional development activities, ensuring the program remains relevant and effective. These findings have also demonstrated the program’s value to stakeholders, securing ongoing support and fostering sustainability.
The NeuroTech training program stands as a model for interdisciplinary neuroscience education, integrating innovative curriculum design, strong faculty mentorship, and targeted professional development to cultivate the next generation of neurotechnology leaders. The outcomes reflect a commitment to diversity, inclusion, and scientific excellence, positioning trainees for impactful careers in neurotechnology and beyond.
Last Modified: 11/18/2024
Modified by: Eduardo J Chichilnisky
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