Investigator Development

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Investigator Development Core Summary As the racial disparities in infections and deaths due to COVID19 highlight, health disparities in the US can play a large role in deaths from infectious disease as well as the chronic conditions that, until the pandemic, were the most urgent causes of disability and death in the US. Significantly reducing health disparities will require innovative and effective strategies that increase adoption of health-promoting behaviors among individuals from under-represented and low SES communities. Investigators in social and behavioral sciences are increasingly working with health science researchers to produce practical research and interventions that improve the health of individuals and communities. A recommended strategy for reducing health-related inequities is to increase the number of investigators (including those from underrepresented groups) carrying out ground-breaking research on both the causes of health disparities and ways to reach health equity. Investigators from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds and minority groups bring unique perspectives that can enhance understanding of social and structural causes of health disparities. However, these groups are underrepresented in the scientific workforce and often lack both the institutional resources and informal support systems to succeed. The mission of our Investigator Development Core is to expand DSU’s institutional capacity to conduct health disparities research by preparing a cadre of health equity investigators conducting transdisciplinary research projects that can improve health outcomes and reduce disparities, and who are actively engaged with community members throughout the lifecycle of their research. The IHER Center will carryout its mission by: 1) Establishing a competitive pilot grant program that will allow new and early stage investigators at DSU to generate preliminary data to support competitive grant proposals related to the social and behavioral determinants of health; 2) Fostering the productivity, advancement, and retention of health equity researchers by providing a robust professional development infrastructure to support publication of peer-reviewed articles, submission of grant proposals, and development of strong professional networks; 3) Working with the Community Engagement & Dissemination Core to empower PIs to engage communities in their research and disseminate health research-related information; and 4) Providing a robust, interactive educational program to enhance knowledge and awareness of minority health and health equity across the DSU community. The core will leverage the R01 and R15 grant experience of ID Core director with the experience of the RCMI PIs in leading research centers focused on supporting early stage investigators to establish successful research programs and win external funding.