Pilot/Exploratory Studies Core (PESC)

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PROJECT SUMMARY – PILOT AND EXPLORATORY STUDIES CORE (PESC) The overall objective of the PESC is to conduct pilot studies that inform the selection, design, and conduct of subsequent larger, hypothesis-testing research in the Duke OAIC theme ‘to understand and optimize reserve and resilience’. The PESC supports studies of physiological reserve at cell, tissue, organ, and individual levels because each are key contributors to understanding and bolstering resilience at the whole person level. While this Core supports the crucial, resilience-related pilot work that is needed prior to the stage of intervention (e.g., development of measures or model systems), the PESC mentoring approach and OAIC environment trains awardees to envision and strategize how their line of research will translate into improved human outcomes. The Specific Aims of the PESC are (1) to advance top quality science related to late-life reserve and resilience; (2) to attract and nurture a diverse cadre of outstanding investigators equipped to pursue promising new directions in aging research related to our theme; (3) to build and sustain relationships with critical stakeholders to maximize the impact and translation of the work conducted through the PESC. To accomplish these Aims, the PESC partners extensively with other OAIC Cores to extend mentorship and training for awardees (Research Education Component [REC]), to coordinate a broad solicitation and selection process to attract and cultivate highly meritorious applications from a wide range of investigators (Leadership and Administrative Core [LAC]), and to support individual project needs (Molecular Measures Core [MMC], Health and Mobility Measures Core [HMC], and Analysis Core [AC]). The PESC also leverages institutional resources including the Duke Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI), the Duke Aging Center, the Duke Roybal Center, and the Duke REACH Equity Center. Further, the PESC engages stakeholders outside of Duke University, including community representatives and external reviewers who contribute to project selection as well as aging research networks that further awardees’ opportunities for career development and scientific impact and translation. The PESC will support at least three projects each year, leveraging institutional funding to support additional high caliber pilot projects or smaller-scale “seed” awards. Metrics of success include attainment of individual project milestones; dissemination of results (presentations, publications); diversity of the cadre of funded investigators; and use of pilot data to obtain funding for larger, hypothesis-testing studies.