Administrative Core

The Southwest Environmental Health Sciences Center (SWEHSC) Administrative Core (AC) provides the necessary infrastructure to integrate the leadership, organization, and strategic vision of the SWEHSC. In providing overarching support, the AC advances the SWEHSC mission to facilitate and implement innovative research and community engagement aimed at understanding the mechanisms underlying environmental health (EHS) risks and disease among people living in arid environments by coordinating SWEHSC research, training, and community engagement efforts. Accordingly, the AC coordinates and integrates Center activities, attracts new investigators with outstanding EHS capabilities through the Pilot Projects Program, develops the capacity of EHS researchers through career development opportunities, facilitates interdisciplinary EHS activities, and promotes cutting-edge research opportunities. The AC also promotes the translation of findings to improve medical and public health interventions for people in the arid Southwest environment through the Cellular Imaging, Omics, and Integrated Health Sciences Facility Cores. Likewise, the AC facilitates statewide, national, and international SWESHC initiatives, coordinates community outreach, and ensures the integration of the Facility Cores (FCs) and the efforts and activities of the three Research Focus Groups, which center on environmental exposures experienced by populations residing in the desert Southwest, lung disease resulting from environmental exposures, and uncovering the mechanisms underlying adaptive responses to environmental stress. The ultimate goals of the SWEHSC AC are to 1) support new and emerging research initiatives that align with the Center vision and mission; 2) ensure that FCs provide the cutting-edge technologies needed by Center members in an efficient and cost-effective manner that fully integrates all Center resources; 3) increase the number and enhance the career development of investigators, particularly new investigators, studying EHS issues; 4) assist the CEC in public outreach efforts to people in the Southwest to encourage their participation in EHS research and community-driven projects; and 5) increase the Center’s research grant base. Broadly, the AC plays an essential role and provides the necessary infrastructure to ensure the success of SWEHSC.