UTRGV Diversity Center for Genome Research

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PROJECT SUMMARY The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley seeks to establish a Diversity Center for Genome Research that will build UTRGV’s genomics research capacity by 1) expanding genomic research capabilities and discoveries in two innovative research projects; and 2) enhancing the size and quality of the available genomics workforce. Leveraging the exciting activities and resources available in the two highly innovative research projects, the Center’s structure and approach are designed to expand the pool of diverse genomic scientists, clinician scientists, and researchers at both the doctoral and technical staff levels who can perform cutting-edge multidisciplinary genomics research. The Center’s Workforce Development Core includes efforts to develop the pipeline of Hispanic pre-college students interested in careers in genetics and genomics so that workforce development programs will expand and become self-sustaining in the future. The Center’s Community Engagement Core is designed to improve genomic literacy in the predominantly Hispanic local population and increase interest in participation in genomic studies. The research in the two multidisciplinary projects to be supported by the Center is focused on diseases that are important health disparities for the local Mexican American population, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and major depressive disorder. The team science-focused research will be meaningful to our trainees since the diseases under investigation disproportionately impact Mexican American families. The research programs leverage state-of-the-art instrumentation to provide outstanding training opportunities for faculty, students, postdocs, and residents. Cutting-edge technologies are incorporated into the projects, maximizing the impact of training and research experiences. Techniques and approaches used in the projects include bioinformatics, computational genomics, statistical genetics, molecular genetics, genetic epidemiology, genomics, proteomics, exposomics, stem cell biology, novel statistical methods, environmental chemistry, environmental epidemiology, neuroscience, imaging genomics, and medical anthropology. The proposed research areas provide an outstanding range of training opportunities and are rich with potential spin-off projects for junior faculty and senior faculty seeking to branch into genomics. Through the activities of its Administrative Core, Workforce Development Core, Community Engagement Core, and Research Projects, the proposed UTRGV Diversity Center for Genome Research will support cutting-edge genomic research, capacity building, and training in genomics at one of the nation’s largest Hispanic-serving institutions.