CACHET - Admin Core

1. ADMINISTRATIVE CORE: ABSTRACT The Administrative Core (AC), through shared leadership by Center Co-Directors Dr. Habibul Ahsan at the University of Chicago (UofC) and Dr. Gail Prins at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), coordinates all programmatic and research activities within the ChicAgo Center for Health and EnvironmenT (CACHET) and implements its strategic vision. CACHET strives to achieve a strong identity in the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois by promoting improved public health through reduced exposures to adverse environmental factors, particularly within regions experiencing increased environmental health burdens. In the renewal period, the AC will continue to provide a centralized organizational infrastructure that integrates and coordinates all CACHET activities, recruits and organizes members with excellent research capability in environmental health sciences (EHS) and builds inter- institutional research programs across Focus Groups and trans-disciplinary research teams. The AC is supported by effective management and oversight of Facility Cores to meet the evolving needs of EHS investigators. The AC promotes translational research opportunities through CACHET Facility Cores, engaging community stakeholders to advance bi-directional communications that drive targeted research efforts on emerging environmental issues. Central to these endeavors are interactive education and communication strategies for CACHET members, including seminars, retreats, workshops, multi-media platforms that incorporate social media tools and an interactive website. The AC also facilitates career development of young investigators through a robust Career Development Program and builds EHS research capacity through a vibrant Pilot Project Program as well as targeted faculty recruitment. The AC management team maintains databases for membership, Facility Core utilization logs, and careful record-keeping of all sponsored activities and outcomes. Similarly, this support team works with the Directors to provide efficient operations and effective management of financial and progress reports to the NIEHS. Oversight is maintained through regular meetings of the Executive Committee and Internal and External Advisory Boards. The Directors will continue to act promptly upon their recommendations to maintain and enhance Center programs. The AC furthers the CACHET mission to alleviate environmental health exposures by developing strategic partnerships with university leaders, local/regional/national Public Health officials, regional stakeholders, other NIEHS Core Centers and liaisons with NIEHS program officials. Finally, the AC will strive to coordinate and integrate all Center research and activities to provide a cohesive direction towards the CACHET goals/mission will.