Administrative Core: Clinical Research Center for the Improved Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Vocal Hyperfunction

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Project Summary/Abstract The Clinical Research Center for the Improved Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Vocal Hyperfunction (VHCRC) brings together a multidisciplinary team of experienced investigators to pursue a comprehensive program of research focused on hyperfunctional voice disorders. The VHCRC consists of four research projects, an Administrative Core (Admin Core), and a Technology and Data Science Core (Tech Core). The research program will be conducted primarily by a consortium of three institutions: (1) Massachusetts General Hospital will serve are the lead/primary institution for the VHCRC and includes the Admin Core, Tech Core, and Project 1 (Identifying physical and behavioral factors and mechanisms to improve detection and phenotyping of vocal hyperfunction) and Project 4 (Use of ambulatory biofeedback to improve behavioral treatment of vocal hyperfunction); (2) Boston University will conduct Project 2 (Sensorimotor mechanisms of vocal hyperfunction); and (3) Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María will conduct Project 3 (Modeling biomechanical, aero- acoustic and auditory-motor control mechanisms of vocal hyperfunction). Additional institutions involved via subcontracts include Boston Medical Center, University of Waterloo, Clarkson University, and Emory University. The Admin Core will provide overall administrative support and direction for the entire VHCRC. It will be led by the Program Director (PD) with assistance from an Administrative Coordinator. Duties performed by the Admin Core include 1) performing all financial functions related to the operation of the VHCRC, 2) overseeing and ensuring compliance with all human studies regulations, 3) submission of annual progress reports to NIH, 4) scheduling and conducting regular meetings of all of the investigators participating in the VHCRC to optimize the cohesion, integration, and efficiency of the research program, and 5) periodic comprehensive evaluation of the VHCRC and its components. In terms of administrative structure, the PIs of the projects and Tech Core report directly to the PD who has final authority in settling disputes or disagreements that cannot be resolved by consensus. In addition to regular meetings of the entire research team, the PD and PIs of all projects and cores (with selected consultants as deemed necessary) will meet annually with an Advisory Committee of leading experts in areas related to VHCRC projects. This Advisory Committee will be actively involved in the evaluation and planning process of the VHCRC, including evaluating the scientific progress and optimizing strategies to meet the overall research goals over the course of the grant award. The Admin Core is considered critical to the success of the VHCRC in achieving its overall long-term goal of improving the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of hyperfunctional voice disorders.