Shared Resource Management

SHARED RESOURCE MANAGEMENT: PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The overarching goal of Wilmot Cancer Institute (Wilmot) Shared Resources is to provide relevant, cost-effective, cutting-edge technologies, services, and consultation to investigators to advance the Wilmot research mission. Wilmot Shared Resources are managed by John M. Ashton, PhD, MBA, Assistant Director for Shared Resources. Ashton has established a transparent and effective operational structure that facilitates access to six key Shared Resources relevant to Wilmot scientists. He continually evaluates Wilmot Shared Resource services for operational improvements and new strategic investments. Together with the Shared Resource directors, he employs a multi-faceted approach to ensure that Wilmot Shared Resources are relevant to researcher needs, easily accessible, cost-efficient, and produce high-quality data in a timely manner. This approach includes: (1) integrating feedback from Wilmot leadership to ensure alignment with the Wilmot strategic plan; (2) incorporating input from Scientific Advisory Committees populated by Wilmot scientists with relevant expertise for each Shared Resource; (3) attending monthly Wilmot research program membership meetings to ensure full understanding of programmatic Shared Resource needs; and (4) annual Wilmot membership surveys focused on satisfaction and emerging research needs. Ashton synthesizes information and data gathered from these four sources to address any gaps identified in the Shared Resource portfolio and develops strategic investment proposals. The Wilmot Scientific Leadership Committee meets monthly, and each Shared Resource director is a standing member of the committee, facilitating alignment with Wilmot members and providing bidirectional feedback on SR value to Wilmot research, including utilization, new services, and emerging technologies. These proposals are presented to Hartmut Land, PhD (Wilmot Deputy Director), for feedback, with ultimate investment decisions made by the Wilmot Director with input from Land and the Executive Committee. Working with Wilmot research administration, research informaticians, and communications staff, Ashton coordinates operational and financial accounting and reporting, oversees marketing to increase exposure, and fosters collaboration between the Shared Resources and Wilmot scientists. He reports directly to Wilmot Deputy Director Land. The six Wilmot-supported Shared Resources are Biobank, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, Cytometry, Genomics, Human Biophysiology, and Imaging and Radiation. Shared Resource Management is accomplished through three specific aims, including (1) ensure cost-effective and timely access to Wilmot SRs; (2) align SR services with Wilmot research goals; and (3) facilitate and encourage collaboration between Wilmot SRs and Wilmot scientists. Collectively, since 2019, Wilmot Shared Resources have supported more than 140 cancer-relevant grants and more than 350 peer-reviewed publications by Wilmot investigators. Future directions include fully activating a developing cancer Metabolomics Shared Resource, additional investment in bioinformatics capabilities, and continual improvements to each Shared Resource in response to research community needs.