Rio Grande Valley Cancer Health Disparity Research Center

The Investigator Development Core (IDC) will assume a primary role in achieving the stated goals of the Center to foster and promote excellence in health disparities and cancer research for early-stage investigators (ESI) and assist them in achieving independence as funded researchers. The IDC will further contribute to the RGV- CHDRC goals of enabling investigators at all levels to become more successful in obtaining competitive extramural support with a focus on health disparities and cancer conditions disproportionately impacting the population of the Rio Grande Valley (RGV). These communities are over 80% Hispanic and are among the nation’s most socio-economically disadvantaged, experiencing high degrees of health disparities. Our RGV- CHDRC and IDC core will also significantly contribute to the NIH mission of enhancing the pool of scientists from underrepresented minorities (URM) in the biomedical sciences and cancer research. The academic environment at UTRGV and our diverse, multidisciplinary faculty are uniquely positioned to engage our communities on the US-Mexico border in culturally competent, measurable, and sustained innovative cancer- related research aimed at improving health outcomes. We propose the following Specific Aims: Aim 1. To develop Pilot and Collaborative Research Project Implementation in Health Disparities and Cancer Research. The primary goal is to foster and promote excellence in health disparities and cancer research for early-stage investigators (ESI) including postdoctoral fellows, junior faculty, and other ESI and assist them in achieving independence as funded researchers. We will create a vibrant and rigorous application and independent peer-review process and emphasize the selection of quality, transdisciplinary multi-domain, multi- level projects involving cancer, health disparities, and social determinants of health. We will establish a rigorous independent peer-review panel and implement a comprehensive investigator development program to support investigators throughout the lifecycle of the research project and through transition into independence. Aim 2: To effectively implement through the IDC scientific training, collaboration, and mentoring in Health Disparities and Cancer Research, incorporating social determinants of health and behavioral health. We will develop a mechanism for forming transdisciplinary research teams of junior researchers and mentors from our campus at UTRGV, hospitals, and community. The overall impact of this IDC will provide adequate knowledge, training, and experience for investigators to develop a successful career trajectory in health disparities and cancer research. Specific strengths and unique aspect(s) of the IDC include 1) A multi-layered method to support aspirant and early/mid-stage researchers across their career development; 2) Provide strong partnerships among key divisions of UTRGV, hospitals, and healthcare communities for higher learning and diversity; and 3) An exclusive Mentoring and Leadership team of highly reputed and dedicated faculty/researchers to execute this IDC-UTRGV-RCMI program.