RCMI Center for Health Disparities Research

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PROJECT SUMMARY (Overall Section) Jackson State University proposes to establish a RCMI Center for Health Disparities Research (RCHDR) to conduct innovative research aimed at addressing health disparities and improving minority health in Mississippi. The RCHDR is comprised of seven major components including the Administrative Core (AC), Research Infrastructure Core (RIC), Investigator Development Core (IDC), Community Engagement Core (CEC), and three Research projects. The AC provides administrative and managerial oversight of all program activities. The RIC provides laboratory resources and technical expertise in new technologies. The IDC provides funding for innovative Pilot projects conducted by early stage investigators. The CEC fosters community engagement and research participation, and facilitates translation of research findings. The PIs of the three Research projects, as well as PIs of anticipated Pilot projects will conduct high impact research that will lead to novel discoveries in the science of health disparities. The RCHDR will create of an excellent research ecosystem that supports team science, and maximizes research productivity through five specific aims: 1) Strengthen the capacity to conduct biomedical research addressing health disparities. Approach: Develop and implement mechanisms and processes to enhance health disparities research. Provide support for the successful implementation of health disparities research projects. Foster the professional development of RCHDR researchers. Develop and maintain a program website and establish effective communication. 2) Establish a robust biomedical research environment that fosters innovation in health disparities research. Approach: Create a strong RIC to provide RCMI investigators with access to state-of-the-art equipment and services. Organize laboratory training workshops. Monitor facilities utilization, and implement a cost-recovery system toward sustainability. 3) Promote professional development and career enhancement of early stage investigators (ESI) at JSU. Approach: Establish an effective IDC that provides support to stimulate innovative, hypothesis-driven research in health disparities. Develop a robust Pilot Project Program to develop the research skills of ESI, and facilitate their transition to research independence. Implement career development activities, 4) Foster opportunities for translational research. Approach: Establish an effective CEC to build sustainable relationships with community-based organizations. Foster community participation in biomedical research. Disseminate the research findings to improve minority health and reduce health disparities. Integrate RCHDR activities with those of the NRMN, RTRN, CCTS and IDeA Network. Foster collaborations to maximize productivity. 5) Conduct both Formative and Summative evaluations. Approach: Develop logic models to guide the evaluation of all Program components. Collect and analyze data based on key assessment metrics. Document successes and identify areas of improvement. Assess the overall impacts on the science of health disparities and the development of biomedical workforce.