Center for Hemoglobin Research in Minorities (CHaRM)

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DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): We propose to establish the Center for Hemoglobin Research in Minorities (CHaRM), which will build on and synergize with the existing HBCU Research Scientist Program. The CHaRM's ultimate goal is to provide and to improve the necessary research infrastructure, while augmenting science education and research training for pre- and postdoctoral students, and strengthening scientific faculty research and career development. We will establish a NHLBI Research Center at Howard University that will augment and strengthen research capabilities and resources in biomedical and behavioral research related to heart, lung and blood diseases and disorders in minority populations. This proposal will build on previously developed Research Scientist Program at Howard University's Center for Sickle Cell Disease (CSCD) that was supported by NHLBI from 1999 to 2012 and recently received the P30 award for Phase I of this program. In Aim 1, we will establish a center of excellence for the study of hemoglobinopathies, iron metabolism, and oxygen sensing. We will recruit an external mid-level or senior investigator who will serve as program director and retain the existing recently hired junior faculty. We will also establish a steering committee, an external advisory board and use an external evaluator for the program. In Aim 2, we will establish an administrative core to provide support and conduct training activities. In Aim 3, we will educate and train minority students and fellows by providing research and laboratory experience, developing additional scientific curricula, facilitate scientific exchange and conduct seminars. In Aim 4, we will expand and enhance the research advances made by the Howard University Research Scientist Program in clinical and molecular aspects of sickle cell disease, iron metabolism, and oxygen sensing. In Aim 5, we will enhance and facilitate existing collaborations within and outside of Howard University and share existing resources. The underlying themes of the research we envision are to reduce health disparities and to enhance excellence in research into heart, lung and blood diseases at Howard University. In pursuit of the scientific and educational goals, an integral part of the program will be to obtain additional research support from NIH and other sources. RELEVANCE: The mission of the CHaRM is relevant to public Health because it is aimed at reducing health disparities and enhancing excellence into heart, lung and blood diseases at Howard University. The proposed activities are relevant to the NIH mission that pertains to reduce vulnerability of the population to chronic and infectious diseases and to train and educate minority students and medical fellows.