GRADUATE PROGRAM
D-MAP will support graduate students/year (anchored in the subprojects) and collaboratively participating in D-MAP research. Students will develop research projects in one or more subproject and develop collaborative research skills across all subprojects. Professional development, including interactions with academic, government, and industry partners, will complement research development. Topics will include writing, survival skills, self-care, time management, imposter syndrome, important for all of us, but especially URGs. We expect 50+ additional non-D-MAP graduate students to engage in workshops, hackathons, and colloquia. In addition, graduate student involvement in high school, undergraduate, and broader outreach goals will help them develop a well-rounded profile and provide experiences to help guide their own future career choices
Interdisciplinary educational Program
The Consortium will develop a PhD program in human neuroimaging and data modeling. This program will be affiliated and cross-listed with multiple degree granting departments at GSU. At present, GSU has no PhD programs focused on neuroimaging, thus this new program will fill a critical void. Students will be enrolled and complete the hosting department’s graduate-level common core, plus a series of specialized courses on various neuroimaging topics
Research Training
Beyond coursework, graduate students will receive extensive hands-on training in the laboratories of D-MAP investigators and other affiliated scientists. This training will incorporate all critical aspects of a cutting-edge neuroimaging program, including data acquisition (e.g. MRI, EEG, MEG), brain image reconstruction and analysis, big data analytics and machine learning, and approaches for combining multi-modal imaging data. Students will work in interdisciplinary groups on projects oriented around the proposed D-MAP subproject (i.e., unimodal dynamics, multimodal fusion, and predictive neuroimaging).
Recruitment, retention, & mentoring
Our retention strategy involves consistent mentoring and professional development. D-MAP-funded graduate applicants will be selected as Fellows by the D-MAP research faculty to ensure a good match with overall program objectives. The cohort community building activities will begin the week before the Fall semester starts. D-MAP faculty, in coordination with the research and education codirectors, will implement a proactive retention plan to enhance the success of the project. The plan includes 1) an annual trainee survey to understand issues and expectations; 2) development of an individualized professional development plan with each trainee; and 3) an annual trainee progress review to facilitate the understanding of potential problems, continuous improvement of mentoring, and course corrections as needed.