International Workshops to Grow and Support Global Network of Interdisciplinary Researchers Fluent in Neurology, Brain Imaging, Epidemiology, Genetics, Multiomics, and Ethics

The best science is increasingly interdisciplinary and requires knowledge of several intersecting areas of expertise to be synthesized leading to novel discoveries of biological pathways, biomarkers and promising new therapies. The Neurepiomics conferences are designed to have abundant didactic information sharing, networking in a right-sized, stimulating setting and hands-on workshops to permit interdisciplinary learning and networking at the intersection of ‘Neurology’, ‘Brain Imaging’, ‘Epidemiology’ and ‘Genetics and Multiomics’. Profs. Sudha Seshadri, MD, and Stephanie Debette, MD, PhD began the Neurepiomics conferences (workshops /summer school) in 2015 and have organized 8 annual meetings in the United States, Europe, Asia and Latin America (Chile). They now seek R13 funding for the 2025 to 2029 period to host 5 meetings with an increased focus on varied locations (e.g. sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Latin America) and participants (by offering 20 scholarships funding all expenses for faculty and trainees from geographically distinct countries and from under-resourced communities in the United States and those affiliated with geographically remote, rural, border and less well funded universities and hospitals. Our Specific Aims for the period of 2025-2029, covered in this R13 proposal are: To host annual workshops to facilitate training, growth and partnerships among young investigators and rising stars coming from any one of these fields who could benefit from a basic to pre-publication overview of related fields of interest. The proposed program each year will combine didactic talks by leaders in the field with hands-on workshops and discussions leading to specific projects, focused on emerging areas of importance such as Brain Banking and Low Field MRI imaging. To expand capacity in neuroepidemiology and multiomics in various regions of the US and the world by (i) Finding and funding qualified attendees from countries in Latin America, Africa, Asia using scholarships (ii) promoting the hosting of ‘Neurepiomics’ meetings in different countries, allowing local faculty and participants to teach, network, and eventually lead more international, multisite grants and high impact publications, make novel discoveries in ADRD dementias. Our proposal addresses the urgent need to develop interdisciplinary scientists, especially from varied geographic regions, both in the United States and in other countries in a respectful and ethical manner. We propose to hold the next Neurepiomics conference in Bordeaux, France Oct 22-25. The event will be co-hosted by Drs. Debette and Seshadri with two strong African partners, Profs. Rufus Akinyemi and Prof. Alfred Njamshi and will focus on partnerships and capacity building. It will have a one-day special focus session on Brain Banking. Project Number: 5R13AG097036-02 | Fiscal Year: 2026 | NIH Institute/Center: National Institute on Aging (NIA) | Principal Investigator: Sudha Seshadri (+1 co-PI) | Institution: UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HLTH SCIENCE CENTER, SAN ANTONIO, TX | Award Amount: $50,000 | Activity Code: R13 | Study Section: Career Development for Established Investigators and Conference Grants Study Section[AGCD-4] View on NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11419154