LaMP Training Program- Overview

• Attend 2 units/quarter of LaMP core courses:
  • Fall and Winter Quarters: “Core Concepts and Methods in Learning, Memory, and Plasticity” (interactive lectures as well as lab-based immersion).
  • Spring Quarter: “Translational Approaches to Learning, Memory, and Plasticity Disorders” (didactic and interview/video sessions that span clinical, cognitive, systems and molecular aspects of each disease).
• Choose a co-mentor LaMP trainer from a distinct area of LaMP research than your primary mentor.
• Participate in a career skills weekly meeting.
• Complete Responsible Conduct in Research training.
• Training in grant writing during career skills meetings and over the summer, followed by a mock study section prior to the required submission of an NRSA grant at the end of the funding period.
• Participate in an annual program retreat, where each trainee presents their research progress.
• Participate in the yearly training program evaluation.
• Commit to participate in this program for 3 years (i.e., attend the seminars, journal clubs, and annual retreat) to create a program community.

Eligibility

• Students may apply for Years of 2 or 3 of their graduate training.
• Be in good academic standing within their graduate group.
• Work on a project related to LaMP research.
• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• Work in one of the approved LaMP Trainers’ labs (listed here). New faculty are encouraged to join the program by submitting a faculty trainer application.

Application Process

Application materials are submitted by email to the Academic Coordinator, Kristine Donis-Cox (kdoniscox@ucdavis.edu). The deadline to apply is midnight, April 11th. Selection is competitive and based on academic performance, the relevance of the applicant's proposed research and career goals to LaMP, representation of trainees across fields, and the potential of the applicant to benefit from and contribute to the LaMP training program.

Application Materials

Use Arial, 11pt font, 0.75 in margins, single spacing

• NIH formatted biographical sketch.
• Concise plan with title describing your current doctoral dissertation research (purpose and progress to date), its relevance to the LaMP fields and your career goals (2-page limit, references not included).  Please include a section on how the LaMP training program will enhance your training. Carefully distinguish between what you have accomplished from work performed by others.
  • If you have not yet selected your research lab, please describe the 2 labs that you are deciding between, what your thesis project might be in each, and why you want to join LaMP (1 page per lab, references not included).
• Summary (2-page limit, references not included) of all of your research experience to date. List any relevant materials, especially publications and abstracts submitted or accepted.
• Copies of your graduate and undergraduate academic records and GRE scores (unofficial copies are acceptable).
• Signed statement indicating that the trainee, LaMP mentor, and LaMP co-mentor agree to comply with the requirements of the LaMP training program (see application for signature form).
  • If you have not yet selected a thesis lab, this statement is required prior to appointment.  
• One letter of recommendation from the LaMP mentor (who must be an approved LaMP Trainer).
  • If you have not selected a thesis lab, include letters from the two mentors that you are deciding between.