The University of Houston (UH) has approximately 400 faculty (~150 from communities underrepresented in the health sciences) conducting health-related research. These faculty span 12 Colleges and 28 academic units. This recent environmental scan suggests (1) there is a natural wellspring of scientists from a broad range of health disciplines that can leverage the Research Infrastructure Core (RIC) to advance their research; and (2) there is a tremendous opportunity to engage more scientists in innovative health-equity science that can discover novel solutions to disparities in addictions and cancer prevention afflicting our underserved and marginalized communities in Houston and beyond. The RIC will be executed by experienced scientists that are passionate about health-equity science. Ultimately, the proposed RCMI is uniquely situated to aggressively launch a centralized RIC capable of actualizing four specific aims:
Aim 1. Execute a centralized research infrastructure that will enhance the scientific rigor, productivity, and impact of addictions and cancer prevention research at UH. Plan: Deliver state-of-the-art core services in the areas of (1) Research Methodology; (2) Laboratory Techniques and Facilities; (3) Data Management and Biostatistics; (4) Health Informatics; and (5) Responsible Conduct of Research, Ethics, and Compliance in health-disparities research;
Aim 2. Develop an intellectual incubator that generates transdisciplinary research teams linking investigators underrepresented in the health sciences with established investigators at UH. Plan: Execute a comprehensive marketing plan that targets and encourages University leadership, faculty, and postdoctoral fellows to leverage RIC services to advance their science while taking the opportunity to build new transdisciplinary research teams that pursue novel solutions to complex health challenges;
Aim 3. Provide dynamic core services for RCMI scientists that are cost-effective, accessible, efficient, and with excellent customer service. Plan: Execute a user-friendly electronic ticketing and tracking system that will monitor service utilization and satisfaction in real-time, while also informing the data-driven redistribution of resources to maximize end-user needs and demonstrate a substantial return-on-investment;
Aim 4. Pursue collaborations that minimize University duplication of resources and build bridges with local and national exemplars. Plan: Work with the Directors of the local and national exemplars to engage in a shared vision that advances health-equity science. Ultimately, large-scale innovative research that has strong scientific rigor, transparency, and reproducibility cannot be fully actualized without an efficient state-of-the-art research infrastructure.
