Administrative Core A

ADMINISTRATIVE CORE A PROJECT SUMMARY The overall goal of the Cleveland DDRCC Administrative Core is to provide administrative leadership to support the mission of the Cleveland DDRCC. The Core supports digestive and liver disease investigators at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) and the Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute (CCF LRI) by 1) assuring appropriate allocation of Cleveland DDRCC resources and financial management for the Center; 2) continuing to develop the Center to maximize productivity, effectiveness and strategic growth in the Cleveland DDRCC Research Base in support of the Center’s scientific theme, Mechanisms of Digestive and Liver Inflammation; and 3) fostering opportunities for scientific collaboration and career development for our Center members and junior investigators. The center director, Dr. Fabio Cominelli, and associate center directors, Drs. Claudio Fiocchi (CCF) and Theresa Pizarro (CWRU), provide administrative and scientific leadership for the Cleveland DDRCC. Their leadership is augmented by the support of an internal advisory committee and the DDRCC Executive Committee, which is composed of the center directors, core directors, two scientific program leaders, and two ad hoc DDRCC member. The executive committee meets quarterly to review financial and programmatic issues related to the Cleveland DDRCC. An external advisory committee composed of four international leaders in Mechanisms of Digestive and Liver Inflammation and a patient advocate meets annually with the center director and executive committee to review the DDRCC and provide critical feedback. A center administrator and grants specialist provide support for day-to-day financial management and operation of the DDRCC, and a consultant to the Administrative Core performs regular evaluation of the Center’s Research Base, Core services, and Center activities to assure the Center continues to cost-effectively evolve to meet the changing needs of its members over time. The Core supports a clinical element directed by Dr. Gregory Cooper, which provides study design, biostatistical, bioinformatic consultations to DDRCC members, as well as a robust Enrichment Program directed by Dr. Theresa Pizarro aimed at fostering new investigations and collaborations in digestive and liver disease research among DDRCC members and career development for our junior investigators. The Enrichment Program supports a DDRCC Seminar Series with talks by Center members and Distinguished Visiting Professors, the biannual Cleveland IDEAS Symposium, a Young Investigators Network, an annual PPG international workshop, partipation in the Midwest DDRCC Alliance and its research symposium (to be hosted by the Cleveland DDRCC in 2024), and membership retreats. Finally, the Administrative Core coordinates a vibrant Pilot and Feasibility program directed by Dr. Amitabh Chak to promote the development of junior investigators in digestive and liver diseases. The Cleveland DDRCC has received exceptional institutional support from the CWRU School of Medicine, University Hopitals Cleveland Medical Center, and the CCF LRI and Digestive Diseases Instititute and looks forward to continuing with its mission over the next funding cycle.