Admin Core

ABSTRACT—Administrative Core The goal of the Program Project is to reduce the burden of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)-related mortality through better understanding of contemporary risk factors (e.g., phenotypic, biochemical and genetic markers of metabolic dysfunction) and preventive strategies (e.g., chemoprevention) of HCC related to metabolic (dysfunction) associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). To accomplish this goal, we propose 3 Projects, 2 shared resource Cores: Biospecimen and Biomarker Development Core and Data and Analysis Core, and the Administrative Core. The Administrative Core will govern the Program, run the finances and operations, coordinate between groups, and support the Program Project. We propose a well-run Administrative Core with strong and experienced leadership that will be essential to the success of the Program Project and the studies and cores it supports. Dr. Hashem El-Serag, Chair of the Department of Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston will be the Director of the Administrative Core. Dr. Fasiha Kanwal, Section Chief of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Baylor College of Medicine will be the Associate Director. Both are highly experienced running Centers and Cores. One Program Project administrator will provide the necessary support for day-to-day financial management and operations. An Executive Committee and an External Advisory Committee will perform oversight. The Executive Committee will be composed of the Director, Associate Director, Core Directors, and Project Leaders who will meet monthly. The External Advisory Committee will comprise of 4 external experts in liver cancer biology, epidemiology, prevention as well as coordinating center activities. The Aims of the Administrative Core are: (1) to build a Core with strong leadership to manage the Program Project; (2) to use optimized methods for managing the Program’s scientific, regulatory, and financial functions; and (3) to support coordination and communication between Program investigators and outside advisors and collaborators. The Administrative Core will provide centralized administrative and scientific leadership to facilitate synergistic interactions among all components of the Program Project. The core will provide a platform for monthly meeting for the PIs of all projects and cores to meet and share progress and results and troubleshoot problems. The Administrative Core will tracking progress of Projects and Cores against timelines and milestones via accessible real-time electronic dashboards and evaluating performance of Projects, Cores, and the overall Program. The Administrative Core will also implement a web-based software to track service use and conduct webinars, meetings, and conferences. The Executive Committee of the Administrative Core will also provide platform for investigators to influence the operations of the Program Project.