Fellows will have numerous opportunities to become involved in translational and clinical research throughout fellowship. The UAB Center for Neurodegeneration and Experimental Therapeutics (CNET) is a translational research program that was launched by Dr. David Standaert in 2006, and over time, it has grown to encompass 14 laboratories with more than 80 personnel and more than $15M per year in NIH research funding. UAB also holds a high recognition as a Morris K. Udall Center of Excellence in Parkinson’s Research. This newly NIH-funded Center, which is focused on studies of neuroinflammation in PD in both human populations and animal models, brings greatly expanded resources and opportunities to the fellowship. Fellows will be provided an opportunity to be involved in this program through participation in both the basic and clinical aspects of the studies and attending meetings.

UAB is also an Advanced Center for Parkinson’s Research, which is supported by the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA), as well as a Bachmann-Strauss Dystonia and Parkinson’s Disease Program of Excellence. Fellow-initiated research projects are highly encouraged, for which supplemental funding is also available.

The Division of Movement Disorders is actively involved in clinical research, with an average of 25 recruiting and 20 additional ongoing clinical trials at any given time. Our trials involve Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, essential tremor, ataxia, dystonia, and other movement disorders patients. Fellows attend monthly division research meetings, which discuss ongoing and future site clinical trials. Fellows assist in identifying appropriate subjects for recruitment and have the opportunity to actively participate in clinical trials through administration of trial assessments. Through online training and faculty instruction, fellows also learn how to administer and rate frequently used rating scales in Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, dystonia, tremor, and other movement disorders.