The Training in Research Undergraduate Experience through the Rutgers Addiction Research Center: the TRUE RARC Scholar Program is designed to engage undergraduates in addiction research and data science, with a focus on promoting diversity in the field. By combining innovative coursework, hands-on research experiences, and professional development opportunities, the program empowers students to envision and pursue careers in addiction science. The program is coordinated by Jesse Liss, Assistant Teaching Professor of Sociology at Rutgers-Newark.

Program Overview

The TRUE RARC Scholar Program offers undergraduates the opportunity to take two new courses over the academic year:

  1. Data Science & Addiction Research I
  2. Data Science & Addiction Research II

Alongside these courses, 10 selected students will participate in paid, six-month mentored research experiences within Rutgers faculty labs. Participants will also benefit from professional development activities designed to prepare them for careers or graduate school in STEM and addiction research fields.

Program Highlights

  • Innovative Curriculum:
    • Students learn interdisciplinary addiction research, covering genetics, neuroscience, and environmental influences on substance use outcomes.
    • Completion of the sequence earns students a digital badge representing their measured competencies.
  • Research Opportunities:
    • Alongside coursework, 10 students will engage in mentored research experiences in RARC labs.
    • The program culminates in a research presentation at the annual RARC symposium.
  • Professional Development:
    • Collaborations with academic, industry, state, and health care partners provide resources for career readiness and graduate school preparation.
  • National Resource:
    • The program will create a web repository to publicly share its curriculum, professional development content, and resources, expanding its impact beyond Rutgers campuses.

The TRUE RARC Scholar Program is more than an educational experience—it’s a pipeline to graduate programs, research careers, and meaningful contributions to the addiction science field. By equipping students with the tools, knowledge, and support they need, we’re building a brighter future for addiction research and treatment.

If you have any questions about this program, please contact TRUE-scholar@rutgers.edu.