Diversity Supplement for Alexander Sklivas: Mechanisms underlying anabolic effects of cyclic compressive loading in muscle

This administrative supplement is designed to provide training for Alexander Sklivas (Alex) in the laboratory of Dr. Dupont-Versteegden as a predoctoral fellow. It is in response to the program announcement https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-21-071.html : Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research. Alex will be performing experiments proposed in Specific Aim 3 of the parent RO1 and will be able to gain experience not only in the technical application of scientific inquiry, but will also gain proficiency in writing, presenting and hypothesis development. He will perform experiments that will provide knowledge about the cross over effect of massage that we have observed in all of our massage models. He will investigate the changes in cytokine levels in serum from rats that have undergone massage. In addition, he will perform experiments to show the level of involvement of the nervous system in the cross over effect of massage. He will be trained in these techniques by the primary mentor as well as postdoctoral fellow and senior graduate student. He will take classes, such as grant writing and academia and beyond, that prepare him for future tasks as a researcher and he will take content related classes, such as cell biology and molecular biology. The main goal of the training program is to prepare Alex for a successful application of a F31 predoctoral fellowship which would provide him with the support needed to gain a competitive postdoctoral fellowship. As a member of an underrepresented group in the health sciences (Hispanic) he has the capability to be a good role model for other students or postdoctoral fellows, as he is already involved in the area of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the program in which he currently is admitted. Dr. Dupont-Versteegden will serve as a mentor for Alex and is heavily involved in student mentoring as well as in DEI initiatives. Therefore, this supplement will provide Alex the scientific background, the writing and presenting skills and the academic knowledge to become an independent investigator in the field of his choice.