Administrative Core

Summary The overarching goal of the FAMU Center application (2024-2029) is to establish an interdisciplinary Center that will enable FAMU to continue achieving its mission of addressing health by enhancing its research capacity, increasing its cadre of research investigators, promoting public health initiatives, and making meaningful contributions to reducing chronic disease burdens in the population. The overall goal of the Research Program Administration (RPA) is to manage and coordinate the entire range of the Center's activities, monitor its progress, and confirm that all the components' plans are implemented. The key RPA components of the core consist of the PI, PD, Core Leaders, Research Projects PIs, External Advisory Committee (EAC), Internal Advisory Committee (IAC), and External Program Evaluator. These units will work together to develop concept directions, monitor, and review research activities, and oversee the implementation of program initiatives. A critical function of the RPA is to Implement and manage the Career Enhancement Program (CEP), which will 1) Provide all investigators with the training and capacity build-up to increase the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms and techniques to analyze and interpret large volumes of data more efficiently, leading to more accurate and insightful scientific discoveries and to provide better approaches in serving the communities. 2) Support the establishment and expansion of the quality of research collaborations: The Center supports collaborations and partnerships between researchers within FAMU, interdepartmental organizations, and investigators at external research centers nationwide and international institutions, including institutions. The Center has established and will continue its partnership with the Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center in Jacksonville, Florida, providing an environment conducive to career enhancement that will enhance the professional development and retention of junior investigators in cancer research. Moreover, the Center will leverage the Research Coordination Center (-CC) and the National Research Mentoring Program (NRMN) for investigator development and support. 3) Enhance the research skills of investigators through workshops and training. 4) Support faculty and staff attendance at National conferences, workshops, and training in biomedical and behavioral research; 5) Provide in-house scientific seminars. The RPA will collaborate with the external program evaluator to assess the FAMU Center’s proficiency, progress, and outcomes in relation to specific aims and goals. In the evaluation plan, inputting parameters will reach data-driven decisions and steer the program's future direction, optimizing efficiency, effectiveness, and success. Services provided by RPA will enable investigators to advance their research, experience, skills, and expertise in their area.