Emory/Georgia TB Research Advancement Center (TRAC)

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The goal of the Emory/Georgia TRAC is to grow the next generation of investigators focused on tuberculosis (TB) research, who will contribute to efforts to meet the ambitious World Health Organization (WHO) End TB strategy of eliminating TB by 2035 through better implementation of existing tools and development of new scientific tools for TB elimination. The Developmental Core will implement a multifaceted program entitled, Building the nExt GeneRation of resEArchers to End TB (BE GREAT), to enhance, stimulate, and expand the TB research community at the Emory/Georgia TRAC partner institutions. Our Development Core will build on a strong existing TB research infrastructure and institutional resources with a focus on enhancing career development of early stage investigators (ESIs) and attracting promising new investigators to the field. We will carry out didactic and mentored research training and provide new opportunities for leadership, mentorship, and team science training. Our long-term goal is to further develop and enhance a multidisciplinary, collaborative, and diverse TB research community that leads to impactful research aimed at ending the global TB epidemic. Our BE GREAT Developmental Core platform would utilize TRAC resources to support a targeted program of funding, mentorship and leadership training, and professional development to accomplish our goal of developing independent TB researchers focused on high priority areas of the Emory/Georgia TRAC Administrative Core, WHO and the NIAID. The Developmental Core will be led by Drs. Russell Kempker and Henry Blumberg, NIH-funded TB investigators with a long and successful history of TB-related research and research training including mentoring of ESIs at Emory and globally. Drs. Kempker and Blumberg will work with the Emory/Georgia TRAC MPIs and other Core leaders to integrate the Development Core activities across all Cores. We will also enhance opportunities for didactic and mentored research training and career development as well as ensure research resources are available to Emory/Georgia TRAC investigators. By utilizing NIH and institutional support and leveraging existing infrastructure at the Emory Center for AIDS research (CFAR), Specialized Center of Research Excellence on Sex (SCORE), Georgia Center for Diabetes Translation Research, and Georgia Clinical and Translational Science Alliance (Georgia CTSA, the NIH-funded Clinical and Translational Science Award), the BE GREAT program will have a broad impact on the next generation of global TB leaders. We will achieve our goal of developing a cadre of well trained, successful and independent TB researchers through the following specific aims: 1) Provide professional and career developmental support for ESIs focused on TB-related research careers, 2) Provide mentorship and training for TB investigators, and 3) Provide short-term research funding to ESIs and investigators new to TB through pilot grants. Our pilot funding and training programs will provide substantial added value for the Emory/Georgia TRAC community and will be vital to help recruit, engage and sustain the next generation of TB investigators.