Administrative Supplement for MASALA-2G Study

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The purpose of this administrative supplement is to allow Dr. Nilay Shah to continue toward his path of becoming an independent investigator of community and clinical cardiovascular disease prevention in the South Asian American population, by enabling timely progress toward the research aims while he is on parental leave and has primary childrearing and childcare responsibilities. South Asians experience a disproportionately higher burden of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) at younger ages compared to other race/ethnic groups, but little is known about antecedent cardiovascular health in 2nd generation young adult South Asian Americans to inform early life prevention strategies in this risk-enhanced group. In the parent K23 award, the research aims facilitate the creation of the MASALA-2G second generation study, an offspring study to the Mediators of Atherosclerosis in South Asians Living in America (MASALA) cohort who are predominantly 1st generation immigrant South Asians. MASALA-2G is a foundational investigation in the cardiovascular health of the South Asian American population and aligns directly with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute mission and objective to promote the prevention of heart diseases in diverse populations. The Specific Aims are to: (1) pilot the MASALA-2G study of cardiovascular health in 2nd generation South Asian adults; (2) determine multi-level contributors to cardiovascular health and coronary artery calcium in MASALA-2G participants; and (3) contextualize a cardiovascular health promotion behavioral intervention for this population based on quantitative findings. For the training component, Dr. Shah proposes a comprehensive research and multidisciplinary career development plan composed of formal coursework, intensive mentorship, and experiential training in cohort management and community engagement in health disparity populations, and advanced statistical methods for multi-level associations. The research and training will occur at Northwestern University, which provides Dr. Shah with access to unparalleled infrastructure and partnerships for research in the South Asian community, a multidisciplinary team of mentors and collaborators with comprehensive relevant expertise, strong institutional support from the Division of Cardiology and Department of Preventive Medicine, and training opportunities including in Northwestern’s Center for Community Health and Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute. This administrative supplement is submitted to support several personnel who will continue primary data collection and data analysis during Dr. Shah’s leave and initial period of childrearing, which will facilitate continued progress during the supplement period and ensure Dr. Shah’s transition back to full productivity after the supplement period. Ultimately, the parent K23 research and career development award, with additional support through a critical life event period via this proposal, will directly facilitate Dr. Shah’s transition to independent research for cardiovascular prevention in South Asian populations.