The proposed Center will incorporate administrative and scientific support functions in a single Core,referred to as the Administrative and Integration Core (A&l Core). Functioning within the larger institutionalenvironment of UCLA, including the affiliated UCLA Integrated Substance Abuse Programs (ISAP), theCenter will build on a proven framework that has improved efficiency and communication amonginvestigators involved in the proposed Center and in other UCLA centers. The organization ensures that theCenter will work formally to merge scientific disciplines and associated personnel in a coherent blending thatwill produce a translational research program yielding substantially more than the sum of its components.A&l Core will work toward the following specific aims: Provide an efficient infrastructure to support the four primary research projects of the Center and alimited program of pilot projects, including administrative, research, and clinical services; Facilitate communication and cooperation among Center investigators and provide opportunitiesfor interaction with other scientists on Center activities; Provide for central planning and coordination of Center activities within the larger context of otherresearch activities and programs at UCLA and in the community to support a Research CareerDevelopment and Training Program to identify, recruit, and provide training and mentoring to newinvestigators who will do translational research on the neurobiology of drug addiction; Promote dissemination of Center research products and methodological developments, ensuringthe Center's identity and function as a national resource that can transition to a P50 Center.The A&l Core will have four components: 1) the Administrative Unit, including Dr. E. London (Center andCore Director), Dr. R. Bilder (Director of Research Career Development and Training) and M. Walker(Administrative Coordinator); the Medical Services and Human Subjects Unit, directed by Dr. T. Newton(Acting Center Director and Core Director in Dr. London's absence) and including Dr. T. Fong (StaffPhysician) and C. Hurley (Recruiter); the Research Career Developmetn and Training Unit, directed by Dr.R. Bilder and including Dr.s C. Evans, E. London, J. Licinio, T. Newton, and R De La Garza; and theBiostatistics, Data Analysis and Data Management Unit, directed by Dr. J. Mintz, and including Dr. R.Poldrack (Functional Imaging Director), R. Nandy (Statistician), and S. Shih (Programmer/Systems Analyst).The Core is essential to the operation of the Center it brings together the external and internal academicresources with the day-to-day functions needed to accomplish Center objectives. It is the Core that providesthe foundation for the synergistic preparation of the next round of work, extending the early phase work ofthe P20 Center to form a mature Center.This program addresses a major public health problem - methampehtamine abuse, an underserved andunderstudied problem. It wroks to provide knowledge to advance development of therapeutic intervetionsand to train investigators who will be equipped to address this public health problem.
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