Pathway-to-Independence Award (MiND Program)

Pathway-to-Independence Award (MiND Program)

Funder: Van Andel Institute (VAI), Grand Rapids, Michigan

Program Type: Career development award for postdoctoral fellows

Overview

As part of VAI's commitment to training the next generation of scientists, the West Michigan Neurodegenerative Diseases (MiND) Program offers the Pathway-to-Independence Award to selected senior postdoctoral fellows at VAI to further develop their careers and launch independent research programs.

Award Details

• Number of Awards: Two grants each year
• Duration: Up to two years of project support
• Mentorship: Support provided under the guidance of the postdoc's mentor

Eligibility

• Senior postdoctoral fellows at Van Andel Institute
• Candidates interested in developing independent research careers

Research Focus

• Neurodegenerative diseases research
• Parkinson's disease
• Dementias
• Genetic and epigenetic changes related to neurodegeneration
• Screening and pilot studies

Program Leadership

Program Director: Darren Moore, Ph.D., Chair of VAI's Department of Neurodegenerative Science; Jay Van Andel Endowed Chair in Parkinson's Disease Research

Program Manager: Erin Williams, Ph.D.
Email: [email protected]

Technology and Resource Access

Funded researchers have access to:
• MiND Biorepository: Blood samples from people with and without neurodegenerative diseases
• VAI Brain Bank: Accredited biorepository with tissue samples for neurodegenerative disease research
• iPSC Platform: State-of-the-art induced pluripotent stem cell culture and high-content screening platform

Website

https://www.vai.org/research/collaborations/west-michigan-neurodegenerative-diseases-mind-program/