Administrative Core

Program Summary The mission of the Maryland Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) Research Core Center (MPKD-RCC) is to remove barriers to PKD research by developing and distributing a tool kit of unique resources and expertise to a broad group of investigators interested in advancing PKD science. The Administrative Core will achieve this by providing direction, guidance, and oversight for the MPKD-RCC to ensure that it functions efficiently and effectively. The Administrative Core will be led by Dr. Terry Watnick and Dr. Paul Welling, two accomplished senior investigators at The University of Maryland School of Medicine and Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, respectively, who will leverage the resources of these two large research institutions in Baltimore. They bring experience in PKD science, renal physiology and in managing complex collaborative research grants and scientific cores. The Administrative Core will oversee the financial operation of the Biomedical Research Cores, monitor quality and throughput and coordinate participation in a centralized resource distribution process managed by the PKD Research Resource Consortium (PKD RRC). The Administrative Core will coordinate communication and collaboration across the MPKD RCC ecosystem and will implement a robust plan to broaden involvement in PKD Research: 1) a summer student program designed to engage trainees from a range of backgrounds 2) a local scientific advisory committee featuring a multidisciplinary group of experts from Baltimore-area research institutions and 3) participation in PKD RRC programs that will foster sustained, productive interactions between the MPKD-RCC and investigators at other PKD Centers, the broader scientific community and the NIDDK.