Administrative Core

PROJECT SUMMARY In Phase I, the University of New Mexico Center for Metals in Biology and Medicine (UNM CMBM) established a unique program for sustained research development and discovery by integrating expertise in analytical inorganic biochemistry with translational and team science methods. This effort has enabled new research at UNM, adding sophistication and impact to existing scientific efforts and benefitting the Center’s Research Project Leaders (RPLs) and Pilot Project Leaders (PPLs), several of whom have achieved substantial extramural funding. The Administrative Core (AC) has provided scientific expertise and advanced instrumentation to aid RPLs’ research, enhancing their competitiveness for R01-level funding to achieve independence. The AC coordinated the efforts of the Center’s component projects, mentoring activities, and Integrated Molecular Analysis Core (IMAC) to generate innovative initiatives, process improvements, and harmonized growth. In Phase II, the UNM CMBM will continue to pursue its long-term goal of becoming a national leader for research on the biological roles and impacts of metals and to expand utilization of the state-of-the-art IMAC resource established in Phase I. The goal of the present application is to outline the roles of the AC in Phase II. The rationale for the AC is to ensure the long-term success of the Center by providing effective training, communication, organization, and administrative support. The first aim of the AC will be to provide scientific direction and organizational support for the UNM CMBM. AC leadership will provide a variety of support to drive scientific objectives, manage Center operations, obtain advisory support, and evaluate Center progress. The AC’s second aim will be to manage career development, mentoring, and scientific training for RPLs. To this end, the AC will continue and grow the effective mentoring strategies, training practices, and R01 writing course developed in Phase I. The AC’s final aim will be to promote innovation and expansion of research on metals in biology and medicine through the maintenance and expansion of a number of impactful initiatives developed in Phase I, continued engagement with collaborators, and continued evaluation and assessment of the Center. Achieving these aims will build research capacity at UNM by engaging and supporting early career scientists across the university, in particular a new cohort of RPLs with potential for high-impact, independently funded research. These aims will progress the Center toward long-term sustainability, continue to grow a pipeline of metals-engaged researchers at UNM, and support metals research in New Mexico and other IDeA states. We expect that AC activities will contribute to substantial extramural funding, in particular R01 and equivalent awards for RPLs and PPLs, as well as new collaborative awards to established investigators involved with the Center. Achieving these aims will generate essential discoveries to address urgent threats presented by environmental contaminants and develop important medical solutions.