Center for Molecular Epidemiology

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ABSTRACT The field of epidemiology has gained increasing prominence in the research community and became a household word in 2020. Epidemiology provides the tools to uncover the underlying causes of human illness and to, in turn, inform clinical practice and preventive strategies, advise policy and regulatory actions, and move scientific advancements forward. In Phases I and II, our Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) Center for Molecular Epidemiology at Dartmouth has effectively advanced research in the field. As the only Center for molecular epidemiology in northern New England and one of the only COBRE programs with this focus nationally, we have successfully recruited and mentored the next generation of independent early career investigators. We further supported established investigators to enlarge their research programs, form new collaborations and integrate the latest biomedical discoveries, innovations, and methods. In doing so, we dramatically grew our research productivity and grant portfolio, as evidenced by the steep rise in the number of publications, presentations, and grants awarded since the inception of our COBRE Center. As part of achieving sustainability, we formed a new Department of Epidemiology and developed innovative cross- disciplinary training grants. Our cohesive Center brings together talented investigators focusing on 1) applying new scientific discoveries and technologies to address major human health concerns, 2) identifying early indicators of disease pathogenesis, and 3) exploring common pathways of disease etiology and progression in human populations, including those related to health inequities. In this Phase III application, we will progress our molecular epidemiology research infrastructure forward to full independence and sustainability. Specifically, we will 1) evolve a state-of-the-art Biorepository and Biospecimen Resource Facility Core that supplies the critical services responsive to the ongoing and future needs of biomedical scientists, 2) expand the pipeline of talented, diverse molecular epidemiologists, and provide the requisite mentorship, career development, and research resources to cultivate cutting-edge research and make investigators competitive for NIH funding, and 3) enhance the governance structure, implementation approaches, stakeholder engagement, and evaluation that will strengthen our Center’s impact, promote its strategic vision, and forge ties with regional and national partners. Our success in Phases I and II, combined with strong institutional support, positions us to serve as a vital resource in molecular epidemiology for Northern New England, for COBRE and IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) programs, and more broadly.