(Administrative Core) The overarching goal of Jackson State RCMI Center for Health Disparities Research (RCHDR) is to establish a robust scientific infrastructure to support biomedical research aimed at addressing critical health issues of concern to vulnerable and underserved communities. Therefore, the RCHDR Administrative Core (AC) will be essential to ensure that relevant strategic activities are implemented to enhance the biomedical research skills of minority investigators, to forge strategic partnerships, to catalyze novel discoveries, and to facilitate the translation of research findings to improve minority health and reduce health disparities. The AC will be critical for the coordination, management and oversight to ensure that all the RCHDR programmatic activities are implemented in a timely and cost-effective manner. Hence, the AC plans to perform its key functions through three specific aims that include:
Specific Aim 1 - Provide leadership, administrative structure, management, coordination and oversight of the entire range of RCHDR activities. Approach: Implement an integrated governance and management structure. Provide day to day financial management, and coordinate all the RCHDR activities and functions. Coordinate the activities of the Research Executive Committee (REC) and Research Advisory Committee (RAC). Facilitate the implementation of Research Infrastructure Core (RIC), Community Engagement Core (CEC), Investigator Development Core (IDC) and Research Projects activities. Create an administrative structure and robust research environment that fosters innovation and scientific discovery in health disparities. Ensure timely and effective communication between the AC, RIC, IDC, and CEC leaders, Research Projects investigators, and NIMHD program officials.
Specific Aim 2 - Develop and implement strategic activities that promote multidisciplinary research, community engagement and biomedical career development. Approach: Provide strategic direction and administrative oversight to ensure that the Center activities are implemented in a timely manner. Facilitate collaborations and partnerships. Develop and offer strategic career development opportunities to early stage investigators and other RCHDR researchers. Enhance the capacity of JSU faculty to compete for extramural research grants. Leverage partnerships with RTRN, NRMN, CCTS, IDeA network. Promote integration of Center activities into JSU strategic plan and other NIH-funded programs at the university.
Specific Aim 3 - Implement mechanisms that optimally enable the Center to efficiently achieve its key outcomes and maximize impacts. Approach: Work closely with the external evaluator to develop a logic model that links the Center?s goals and objectives to the inputs and proposed activities, and to the anticipated outputs and outcomes over the short, medium and long terms. Conduct formative evaluations of all Center activities quarterly, and perform summative evaluations annually. Identify areas of concerns and make data-driven recommendations. Track project status and level of productivity, and report internally to REC and externally to RAC and NIMHD.
(Administrative Core) The primary function of the Administrative Core (AC) of the RCHDR is to provide oversight of all RCMI program activities including fiscal, budgetary, organizational, planning, evaluation, infrastructure development, and technology transfer. The AC is responsible for the general administration and coordination of all programmatic activities and the efficient operation of Research Infrastructure Core, Community Engagement Core, and Investigator Development Core. The AC is also responsible for coordinating the activities of both internal and external advisory committees, conducting regular assessments to evaluate the Center and identify needs and opportunities, and creating an integrated work environment that fosters the development and implementation of innovative research aimed at improving minority health and reducing health disparities.
