The TRANSdisciplinary Convergence in Educational Neuroscience Doctoral (TRANSCEND) training program seeks to address two major challenges facing our educational system:
(1) designing and delivering education that helps each student reach their full potential and (2) closing the achievement gap that negatively impacts youth from underrepresented groups (URGs).
This NSF funded program is grounded in Educational Neuroscience (EdNeuro), a cross-disciplinary field which promises to revolutionize education by transcending the present one-size-fits-all approach and personalizing learning. Our approach seeks to help realize EdNeuro’s potential by bringing together transdisciplinary research training in Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience, Education, Engineering, Computer Science and Math. With a strong emphasis on neurodiversity, team science, and co-creation of research and training opportunities with community stakeholders TRANSCEND will prepare diverse cohorts of trainees (50 PhD students, including 25 funded trainees) with the technical and transferable professional skills needed to excel in the 21st century STEM workforce within and outside of academia.
Innovation in EdNeuro
TRANSCEND integrates faculty from 3 colleges/schools and 5 departments, currently siloed within distinct degree programs. Our integrated EdNeuro Bidirectional Approach and Cyclical Model that requires convergence of multiple disciplines, will lead to more ecologically valid research grounded in practice, and rapid translation of research to practice.
Neurodiversity
TRANSCEND centers neurodiverse learners (e.g., with ADHD, dyslexia, and/or autism spectrum disorder) both as a key population of investigation and as trainees. TRANSCEND will prioritize recruitment and retention of neurodiverse trainees, capitalizing on our expansive network including NSF INCLUDES partners.
Team Science
We expand on UConn NRTs that leveraged problem-based learning, and add deliberate and formal implementation of team science approaches while considering diversity (in both demography and expertise) to enhance team creativity and productivity; and to facilitate collaborations, cultural competence, and career readiness. The Graduate School will support efforts to develop new modes of dissertation research based on transdisciplinary teams.
Community
To enhance TRANSCEND’s impact, the program will cultivate a culture of support and sense of belonging through internships; receiving and providing mentorship; and participation of partners, community stakeholders, trainees’ families, and faculty and students from other institutions in program activities. Transformations to graduate training and research will be sustained beyond NSF funding by a planned graduate certificate in EdNeuro. Practices and strategies learned will be disseminated widely for other institutions to follow the TRANSCEND model.
News
- Amid my Ph.D. struggles I learned I am neurodivergenthttps://www.science.org/content/article/amid-phd-struggles-learned-neurodivergent-found-ways-thrive
- Podcast alert! by co-PI Arash Zaghi & Trainee Hayes BrennerPodcast alert! Harmonizing with Autism: An Intimate Conversation with our trainee — Hayes Brenner Podcast alert! Harmonizing with Autism: An Intimate Conversation with our trainee — Hayes Brenner
- New Paper Alert! “Being Neurodivergent in Academia”https://elifesciences.org/articles/93980
- An internship opportunity @NewselaNewsela is hiring an intern for this summer. They are looking for someone with: strong quantitative skills and; an interest in educational technology Please contact Kayleigh Ryherd (she/her), Lead Research Analyst @Newsela, at kayleigh.ryherd@newsela.com for more information.
- Article: Your guide to neurodiversity and other neuro termshttps://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2022/1011/1328464-neurodiversity-neurotypical-neurodivergence-neurotypical/
- NYTimes Article: Temple Grandin/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/09/opinion/temple-grandin-visual-thinking-autism.html
- Square Pegs — a podcast on neurodiversity hosted by co-PI ArashClick the images below to listen: Follow Square Pegs on Twitter: https://twitter.com/SquarePegsPod
- Poster Presentation at #NRT2022NRT 2022 Annual Meeting at VT Poster
- Program FlyerTRANSCEND NRT Recruitment Flyer 2023
Upcoming Events
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Apply to Become a Pepper Scholar All Day
11/20
Apply to Become a Pepper Scholar
Wednesday, November 20th, 2024
All Day
The Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center (OAIC) at UConn (P30 AG067988; Kuchel, Fortinsky - MPIs) is one of fifteen such centers throughout the United States funded by the National Institute on Aging at NIH. “Pepper Centers” honor Claude D. Pepper, the late Congressman who advocated for senior health and research to enable older adults to maintain or restore their independence. The overarching goal of the OAIC (Pepper) Program is to enhance function and independence in older adults through research. The UConn Pepper Center is pioneering a theme focused on Precision Gerontology, an approach to aging research and the care of older adults that seeks to render interventions enhancing function and independence more effective through an improved understanding of heterogeneity and more precise targeting (https://health.uconn.edu/pepper-center/).
A key component of all Pepper Centers is the Research Education Component (REC), which provides financial support, education, and training to Pepper Scholars who Pepper Center leadership identify as showing particular promise as independent investigators. The REC at the UConn Pepper Center, led by Dr. David Steffens and Dr. George Kuchel, includes senior research leaders at UConn and Jackson Lab who could serve as mentors to Pepper Scholars (https://health.uconn.edu/pepper-center/research-and-education-component-rec/). A mentored research project is a primary focus of being a REC Scholar.
We are issuing this solicitation to early stage faculty with an interest in aging-related research. Individuals with experience in this area are encouraged to apply, as are those with research backgrounds in non-aging related fields whose research might be enhanced with a new aging focus. Physician scientists and clinicians in other disciplines are especially encouraged to apply. We anticipate funding two new UConn Pepper Scholars through this competition. Funding for two Pepper Scholar positions would begin July 1, 2025. Pepper Scholar awards are typically awarded for one year, with a second year of funding based on evidence of progress and need. Since this award is taking place in year 5 of the current UConn Pepper Center funding cycle, a year 2 Pepper Scholar Award will also be contingent upon the parent grant’s successful competitive renewal.
The overall goals of the Pepper Center are focused on improving function and independence among older adults. As such the following criteria for Pepper Scholar Selection were developed to be consistent with these goals:• Trainee potential and commitment to an academic career
• Demonstrated commitment to aging research
• Alignment of proposed training and work with the broader mission of the NIA OAIC Pepper Center Program and the focus on UConn Pepper Center on Precision Gerontology
• Availability and commitment of suitable mentorship
• Ability to benefit from OAIC resourcesAs an initial step prior to submitting a full Pepper Scholar application, we are requesting that potential candidates submit a Letter of Intent (LOI), due by 5 PM on January 17, 2025. The LOI should be one single-spaced page consisting of two paragraphs. The first paragraph should highlight aspects of the candidate’s educational, training, and research background that are most relevant to the Pepper Scholar program, followed by a statement of how the candidate will benefit from the Pepper Scholars program. The second paragraph should include a brief description of the research project that will be supported by the Pepper Center REC.
In addition to the LOI, candidates should submit either an NIH Biosketch (preferred) or a CV.The LOI and Biosketch/CV should be addressed to Dr. David Steffens, REC Core Leader and Dr. George Kuchel, REC Core Co-Leader, and emailed to Ms. Laura Masi at masi@uchc.edu
Selected candidates will then be notified by January 31, 2025 and invited to submit a full application for the Pepper Scholar Program for a March 28, 2025 deadline. -
Art Exhibit in Celeste LeWitt Gallery (North Side of the Food Court) All Day
11/20
Art Exhibit in Celeste LeWitt Gallery (North Side of the Food Court)
Wednesday, November 20th, 2024
All Day
UConn Health
Our latest exhibit in Celeste LeWitt Gallery features “Luminous Pastels” by Jane Penfield and “Reflective Moments” by Paul R. Berger.
(Note new date for reception.)
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KPhiG Dare Board All Day
11/20
KPhiG Dare Board
Wednesday, November 20th, 2024
All Day
Online
We will be collecting money from online dares such as Pieing a sister or doing a Tiktok Dance. All proceeds will go to our philanthropy.