The Administrative, Biostatistics, and Investigator Support Core, directed by Drs. Joseph Buckwalter and Thomas Brown (CORT Program Director and Associate Director, respectively), will serve the three research projects and two research cores. Drs. Buckwalter and Brown will give the CORT direction, by coordinating all of the projects; they will also monitor budgets and ensure that investigators comply with University and NIH policies. They are committed to fostering interactions between projects and investigators, and between CORT bioengineers, basic scientists, imaging experts, and orthopaedic surgeons. A central goal for the Directors will be to spur translation of advances in basic science and bioengineering into advances in clinical treatments; reciprocally, the results of clinical studies will spur new basic research. The CORT investigators will consult with The University of Iowa Institute for Clinical and Translational Science (ICTS); Director, Gary Rosenthal MD, Associate Director for Biostatistics, Bridget Zimmerman PhD, to ensure their experimental designs meet rigorous biostatistical standards. The ICTS will support all projects and assist with performing statistical analysis, designing experiments, evaluating data collection, and submitting IRB applications so CORT repositories can collect biological specimens (e.g. joint fluid and serum). The Core will ensure that the External and Internal Advisory groups provide consultation and formally evaluate projects and cores, and identify underperforming endeavors as well as important new research directions. The CORT External and Internal Advisory Groups include internationally recognized experts: External Advisory Group Michael Conzemius, DVIVI, PhD (veterinary medicine and animal models of OA); Christopher Evans, PhD (animal models of arthritis, gene therapy, translational research); Jack Lewis, PhD (bioengineering, OA, joint injury and joint mechanics); Stefan Lohmander MD, PhD (joint injuries, biomarkers, clinical studies and posttraumatic OA); Martin Lotz, MD (joint biology, osteoarthritis, biologic treatments of OA), and Carol Vorwald, RN (layperson and retired nurse with longstanding commitment to OA patients); Internal Advisory Group Beverly Davidson, PhD (gene therapy), Joseph Reinhardt, PhD (imaging), and Douglas Spitz, PhD (free radical biology). Drs. Buckwalter and Brown will use the CORT Enrichment Program effectively and administer the Data-Sharing Plan and the Program for Pilot and Feasibility Projects. Lois Lembke (Administrative Assistant) has extensive experience administrating grants and departmental programs. She will assist Dr. Buckwalter with CORT administrative details, program coordination, budget monitoring, and evaluations of the projects and cores.
The Administrative; Biostatistics and Investigator Support Core and the CORT Advisory Groups will provide oversight for the research projects and cores; solicit and evaluate new pilot and feasibility projects and stimulate development of new research directions.
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