Clinical and Research Fellowship for the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network Trials Unit (DIAN-TU)

Overview

The DIAN-TU launched the first anti-amyloid Alzheimer’s prevention trials platform with two drugs and a third drug launching in 2017 with future drug arms planned. The DIAN-TU works with the National Institutes of Health, global academic centers of excellence, government regulatory agencies (FDA and EMA), pharma and philanthropic groups (e.g., Alzheimer’s Association and GHR Foundation). The DIAN-TU’s Clinical and Research Fellowship in clinical studies in autosomal dominant Alzheimer’s disease at Washington University School of Medicine is designed to develop competent physicians and independent investigators in clinical dementia research and trials. In addition to clinical and therapeutic studies to detect and understand treatment and prevention of autosomal dominant Alzheimer’s disease, the DIAN-TU is involved in imaging, biomarker and genetic projects to better understand the causes, preclinical progression and pathology of Alzheimer’s disease. We encourage involvement by fellows in those studies that will best help them to develop their own area of clinical, translational, or basic research.

Job Description

Fellows will gain knowledge in the basic and clinical science of dementia and neurodegeneration, and the design and management of clinical trials for Alzheimer’s disease. This includes clinical training in the diagnosis, evaluation, and management of dementia, as well as didactic and experiential training in research methods, therapeutic studies, and ethical conduct of clinical research with a special emphasis on autosomal dominant Alzheimer’s disease. Fellows will be trained on consent, screening (e.g. genetic pedigree development and genetic counseling and testing), recruitment and retention of individuals with and at risk of autosomal dominant Alzheimer’s disease through the DIAN Expanded Registry (www.DIANXR.org). Fellows will also be involved with the DIAN Pharma Consortium Working Groups (Biomarkers, Cognitive Endpoints and Trial Design) through data analysis, and presentation and discussion of results. Generally during the second year of fellowship, we anticipate that fellows will have gained sufficient experience in their area to apply for a mentored career award from the National Institutes of Health and/or a clinical research training fellowship award from the American Academy of Neurology Foundation. By the end of this training program, fellows will be prepared to advance to an academic faculty position and pursue their careers as independent scientists in this field.

Note: The DIAN-TU Clinical and Research Fellowship has a formal relationship with the Knight Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC) Clinical and Research Fellowship program to utilize resources and training where there is overlap in program objectives.

Availability

The DIAN-TU offers a 1-2 year fellowship in clinical studies in autosomal dominant Alzheimer’s disease and can accommodate 1-2 fellows at a time. We offer fellows a mix of clinical and translational research with opportunities for wet bench research also. The DIAN-TU Director and Principal Investigator, Randall J. Bateman, MD serves as Fellowship Director and mentors/supervises clinical aspects of the fellowship. Appropriate co-mentors are available for those fellows who pursue translational or bench science.

Accreditation

The fellowship is not ACGME-certified, but we do offer, for candidates who so wish, the Geriatric Neurology Fellowship certified through the United Council of Neurological Subspecialties. For more information, visit http://www.ucns.org/go/subspecialty/geriatric/certification.

Requirements

Candidates must be graduates of an ACGME-accredited training program in neurology or psychiatry, a US citizen or permanent resident, possess a valid US medical license, and are qualified and interested in pursuing an academic career in Alzheimer’s disease research. Foreign applicants may be considered on a case-by-case basis and are encouraged to contact Anna Santacruz, santacruza@neuro.wustl.edu, the Administrative Director for the DIAN-TU.

Application Process

Submit your CV and a cover letter indicating your interest and timeframe, to the Administrative Director online at: santacruza@wustl.edu; or via mail to Anna Santacruz, c/o DIAN Trials Unit, 4488 Forest Park Ave., Suite 301, St. Louis, MO 63108.