Project Summary During the current funding period, this program has continued its outstanding record of educating scholars as independent investigators and leaders in drug-abuse research. Since the submission of our last competitive application in 2015, competition for support from this program has been robust, and all slots have been filled. Twenty-five pre-doctoral and 14 post-doctoral trainees have received support from the grant, these trainees have published 149 papers, and 10 pre-doctoral and 5 post-doctoral trainees have earned individual NIH fellowships. Looking forward, we are poised to continue this record of success. We have recruited 2 new drug-abuse faculty in pharmacology as well as 5 new faculty members with relevant skills and interests from other departments. Moreover, recognizing the many strengths of the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, the dean has authorized the recruitment of up to 10 additional well- established faculty to join our team of 22 drug-abuse faculty. Additionally, a large increase in the number of clinical faculty in recent years justifies our request to increase the number of both pre and post-doctoral trainees by 2. Further support for this requested increase comes from the fact that there are more than 90 research grants from NIDA at this institution, and this is the only institutional training grant. Our preceptors provide trainees with “cutting edge” expertise in molecular, cellular, behavioral, clinical, and translational research. The program continues to emphasize pharmacology, but it has truly developed into a university- wide program open to trainees from all schools and incorporating multiple disciplines. The broad academic scope of the program is accomplished through rigorous core courses and a wide variety of advanced electives, a high level of collaboration among mentors to include reciprocal service on thesis committees, and multiple excellent seminar series. Additional initiatives are proposed to increase the diversity of the trainees and enhance mentor training. These academic opportunities complement a research infrastructure supported by a NIDA P30 grant that provides for the development of genetically altered animals, sophisticated bioanalytical technology, and expertise in advanced gastrointestinal and neuropharmacology research methodologies. Academic and research training is further supplemented by guidance on teaching, professional development for a career in drug-abuse science, and all aspects of becoming a productive, independent researcher. Our goal is to build on the program’s established record of success by continuing to provide a rigorous and supportive atmosphere for training leading scholars in the drug-abuse field for the future.

Project Narrative The objective of this training grant is to continue to educate the future generation of researchers who will concentrate on elucidating the actions of abused substances, understand the behavioral causes and consequences of addiction, and contribute to the development of medications for the prevention and treatment of this disease. Progress in this area requires a work force of researchers with a solid knowledge of the biological processes affected by these substances and by this disease. Those who complete this program will be prepared to have an impact on the health of millions of individuals affected by this disease, their families and all society who currently spend billions of dollars a year on this medical and social problem.