Admin Core

PROJECT SUMMARY The Administrative Core will provide essential support to the Coriell Institute for Medical Research (Coriell) and Van Andel Institute (VAI) Epigenetic Therapy SPORE PIs and investigators to maximize success. It will be co- directed by Drs. Jean-Pierre Issa, Stephen Baylin, and Peter Jones, who co-chair the Executive Committee and provide overall supervision of three Projects, two additional Cores, Developmental Research (DRP) and Career Enhancement (CEP) Programs, and scientific direction of the SPORE. The Core Co-Directors will rely on the extensive broad-based scientific, research, and SPORE experience of the Internal and External Advisory Boards in critical decision making. An oversight committee consisting of the SPORE PIs and three clinical experts from the VAI-SU2C team (Drs. Rudin, El-Khoueiry and O’Connell) will ensure prioritization of SPORE trials within the VAI-SU2C team and at clinical sites. Success of the complex interdisciplinary research in the SPORE depends on integration of diverse epigenetic therapy research approaches. The Core will overcome barriers to interdisciplinary collaboration and data sharing and will ensure a unified translational research effort. The SPORE will be founded on planning, integration, and translational research efforts supported by this Core. Its leadership and staff will be responsible for monitoring/planning scientific activities; providing scientific direction; ensuring emphasis on translational research; ensuring interdisciplinary and inter-SPORE integration with major epigenetic therapy programs within/outside Coriell and VAI and other broad translational research activities; and providing optimal administrative and fiscal management. Specific responsibilities of the Core are: oversee and monitor all SPORE activities; promote integration and communication among the SPORE-related clinical programs; monitor the scientific integrity of all projects, and grant awards; assure compliance with institutional, governmental, and National Cancer Institute regulations; oversee the fiscal and budgetary activities of the SPORE; coordinate data control quality assurance issues; coordinate activities associated with clinical trials, including design of protocols, approval by regulatory bodies, implementation, and eligibility screening and assignment of patients to different studies; provide oversight and support for the shared Resources Cores; coordinate and manage meetings of the SPORE Oversight Committee, Executive Committee, Internal and External Advisory Boards, investigator meetings, research meetings, lectures, and symposia; administer the DRP and the CEP; coordinate interdisciplinary and inter-SPORE interactions and exchanges/meetings with other Epigenetic Therapy SPORE programs and investigators, and other SPORE programs; administer the activities of the Patient Advocates; comply with, and improve policies addressing recruitment and retention of women and minorities; and maintain a Epigenetic Therapy SPORE website focused on issues in epigenetic therapy translational research in cancers.