Developing a Culture of Biomedical Research at the University of the Virgin Islands

项目摘要 这项建议将加强和创新生物医学研究基础设施和培训在大学 维尔京群岛（UVI）是美属维尔京群岛（USVI）唯一的高等教育机构。总体目标 该提案的目的是为生物医学研究提供最高水平的赞助计划服务， 通过培训、指导、合作和强大的基础设施，发展研究文化。紫外线 我们的愿景是发展研究，增加教师的数量进行优秀的外部 资助的生物医学研究谁将能够指导本科生的职业发展潜力， 科学这个项目有几个激励因素：（1）科学劳动力的多样性是 未来的生物医学发现，将改善国家的健康，和HBCU，如UVI有一个 在培训科学领域代表性不足的学生方面发挥重要作用。(2)美属维尔京群岛是一个医学 服务不足的地区经历着巨大的健康差距和新出现的疾病，包括登革热， 基孔肯雅病毒、寨卡病毒和最近的冠状病毒，这些病毒不仅在加勒比地区很重要， 在美国大陆越来越多。美属维尔京群岛和维尔京群岛的人口健康研究很少 继续关注这些领域的研究(3)广泛的本科研究经验是必不可少的， 为学生准备竞争激烈的博士课程。虽然UVI有非常成功的项目， 指导本科生的研究，有更多的UVI学生感兴趣的研究经验比 可以在外部资助的研究实验室中进行。(4)UVI建立了创新的文化， 其2018 - 2023年战略计划，并通过这一研究基础设施和创新是一个主要的重点领域， 得到了总统和高层领导的支持。维尔京群岛大学机构发展计划（IDP） 研究并告知本提案的具体目标：（1）发展UVI的研究管理领导力 和组织，使其训练有素，资源充足，并积极支持研究文化。（二） 为研究人员制定研究审查和培训计划，以增加研究人员的数量并提高其 （3）增加本科生的导师和培训机会， 生物医学研究通过支持教师接受外部资金。这个项目是创新的，因为它将 将IDP完全纳入UVI的2018 - 2023战略计划中进行研究，提供强大的机构范围 承诺.研究和培训创新包括有针对性的培训举措，涵盖 研究，增加外联工作，培训和赠款撰写倡议以及HBCU研究的重点小组 管理人员要克服地理隔离的障碍。UVI的逻辑模型将用于确保 每一项活动都将有助于实现研究的可持续愿景，并发展全校文化 支持研究。

PROJECT SUMMARY This proposal will enhance and innovate the biomedical research infrastructure and training at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI), the only higher educational institution in the US Virgin Islands (USVI). The overall objective of this proposal is to provide the highest level of sponsored program services for biomedical research by developing a culture of research through training, mentoring, collaboration and a strong infrastructure. UVI’s vision is to develop research resulting in an increase in the number of faculty conducting excellent externally funded biomedical research who will be able to mentor undergraduate students with potential for careers in science. There are several motivating factors for this project: (1) Diversity in the scientific workforce is key to the future biomedical discoveries that will improve the health of the Nation, and HBCUs such as UVI have an important role to play in training students who are underrepresented in science. (2) The USVI is a medically underserved area that experiences dramatic health disparities and emerging diseases including dengue, chikungunya, Zika, and the more recent coronavirus, which are important not only in the Caribbean but are also increasing on the US mainland. Little research on population health has been performed in the USVI and UVI continues to look at research in these areas. (3) Extensive undergraduate research experience is essential to prepare students for highly competitive doctoral programs. Although UVI has very successful programs that mentor undergraduates in research, there are many more UVI students interested in research experience than can be accommodated in externally funded research laboratories. (4) UVI has established a culture of innovation in its 2018-2023 Strategic Plan and through this research infrastructure and innovation is a primary focus area and is supported by the President and senior leadership. The UVI Institutional Development Plan (IDP) addresses barriers to research and informs the Specific Aims of this proposal: (1) Develop UVI’s research administration leadership and organization such that it is well-trained, resourced, and motivated to support a culture of research. (2) Develop research review and training programs for research faculty to increase the number and improve the competitiveness of proposal submissions (3) Increase mentorship and training opportunities for undergraduates in biomedical research by supporting faculty to receive external funding. This program is innovative because it will fully integrate the IDP for research within UVI’s 2018-2023 Strategic Plan, providing strong institution-wide commitment. Research and training innovations include targeted training initiatives covering the life cycle of research, increased outreach efforts, training and grant writing initiatives and focus groups of HBCU research administrators to overcome the barrier of geographic isolation. UVI’s logic model will be used to ensure that each activity will contribute to a sustainable vision for research and to developing a University-wide culture supporting research.