The Department of Neurobiology leads an outstanding training program in the Neurobiology of Cognition and Cognitive Disorders (C&CD), supported by an NIH training grant (NINDS T32NS061788).
The program typically funds students during their third and fourth year of graduate training in basic, translational, or clinical cognition-related neuroscience research. Our training program is tailored to provide clinical exposure along with cutting-edge training in neuroscience. Our overall goal is to train the next generation of talented, diverse, and independent scholars and leaders in cognitive neurobiology.
As the burden of cognitive disorders grows in an aging population, preparing the next generation of neuroscientists studying cognition and cognitive disorders is more important now than ever. Our program objectives include strong foundational training, multidisciplinary research approaches using next-gen tools and technologies, preparation for diverse career pathways in STEM, and training in the mechanisms for translating fundamental research into future therapeutic approaches for cognitive disorders.
Application
2026-2027 application cycle is closed.
Timeline:
- Application deadline: May 1, 2026 by 5:00 p.m.
- Applicants notified by May 22, 2026
- Dates of award: July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027
Contact
If you have any questions, please contact the Director of the C&CD T32 Training Program, Dr. Farah Lubin.
Current Trainees
July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027
Brea Ford
Mentor: Abigail Hernandez, PhD
Graduate Program: GBS BSB Theme
Title of Project: Mitigating age-induced cognitive impairments in hippocampal glucose response via a ketogenic diet
Bryana Whitaker Hardin
Mentor: Elizabeth Lucas, PhD
Graduate Program: GBS Neuroscience Theme
Title of Project: A novel and potentially sex-specific role for basolateral amygdala parvalbumin interneurons in mouse social behaviors
Azariah Kaplelach
Mentor: Andrew Arrant, PhD
Graduate Program: GBS Neuroscience Theme
Title of Project: Investigating progranulin's role in astrocytes in frontotemporal dementia
Alexa Tellez
Mentor: Elizabeth Lucas, PhD
Graduate Program: GBS Neuroscience Theme
Title of Project: Sex-Based Modulation of Basolateral Amygdala Microcircuitry
Ashley Thompson
Mentor: Farah Lubin, PhD
Graduate Program: GBS Neuroscience Theme
Title of Project: The Role of the lncRNA Isoform Neat1_2 in Mature Oligodendrocyte Function, Memory, and Cognitive Decline with Age
Teel Walters
Mentor: Briana De Miranda, PhD
Graduate Program: Psychology-Behavioral Neurobiology
Title of Project: Lysosomal function as a central mechanism in cognitive resilience against environmental neurotoxicity
Works-In-Progress Seminar Series
Neuroscience Works-In-Progress is a weekly seminar series focusing on the Neurobiology of Cognition and Cognitive Disorders (C&CD). Events are are held in the fall in Shelby 1015 on Friday from 9-10 a.m. Coffee and light breakfast served while supplies last.
*Indicates mandatory Session for C&CD T32 Trainees