VS-CoBRE Administrative Core

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The Administrative Core of the Visual Sciences Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (VS-CoBRE) will provide the infrastructure to support the career development of an evolving pipeline of scientists who will lead investigations that impact visual disability. Resources will be focused on both current project leaders (PLs) and the next generation of VS-CoBRE scientists following the current PL's graduation to independent funding. Professional development and implementation of strategies for sustained productivity and growth of this thematically aligned community of investigators will be enhanced by comprehensive mentoring, support of relevant cutting-edge shared technology, initiation of a competitive peer-reviewed pilot program, and continuation of focused recruitment around visual sciences research. The Administrative Core has six Aims to focus us on meeting our objectives. Specific Aim 1: Prioritize holistic mentoring as a critical driver of investigator development and independence. Specific Aim 2: Create administrative and fiscal oversight to provide robust support for visual sciences research. Specific Aim 3: Implement a formative and summative evaluation plan to support progress toward well-defined milestones. Specific Aim 4: Initiate a pilot program to support PL's leading emerging projects focused on fundamental processes that affect the visual system. Specific Aim 5: Strengthen an environment that promotes multidisciplinary research in visual sciences. Specific Aim 6: Leverage existing resources, including those supported by IDeA programs, to amplify the impact of investments in visual sciences. The VS-CoBRE, with the support of 1) mentoring teams; 2) the Internal and External Advisory Committees; 3) established IDeA- supported initiatives; and 4) a robust Visual Function & Morphology (VFM) core, will provide an engaging environment that promotes the success of the project leaders and their transition to independence.