Pacific Center for Genome Research

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ABSTRACT The proposed Pacific Center for Genome Research (PCGR) at the University of Hawaii at Manoa (UHM) aims to grow and support Genomic Research workforce at UHM, a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), which has a mission to serve historically underrepresented population in biomedical research, namely, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders. UHM awards doctorate degrees in the health professions and the sciences related to health. We will support a multi-investigator, interdisciplinary team to develop two interrelated and highly innovative genomic research projects, along with three cores, namely, Administrative Core, Genomic Workforce Development Core, and Community Engagement Core. Our two projects address critical issues in genomics including: methods development; genomics of disease; genomic data science and computational genomics; and genomics and health equity. Along with its scientific goals, the proposed UHM PCGR will substantially expand the pool of diverse genomic scientists and researchers at UHM who can perform innovative genomics research by providing didactic, practicum and research activities and experiences that are aligned with the research projects. Through the proposed initiative, genomic research capacity will be increased in UHM. The strength and diversity of the genomics research workforce and thinkforce will be enhanced at all career levels of undergraduate students, master and PhD students, postdoctoral fellows, and junior faculty members. We will identify the most motivated faculty and early stage investigators, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, for careers in genome research. We will identify senior faculty to serve on mentoring teams for new and early-stage investigators, and implement a Team-Science Mentoring Bootcamp for personalized education and skills training. We will enhance, consolidate and sustain core facilities and resources for genome research. We will implement objective criteria and metrics to evaluate core needs and usage, and core- dependent research productivity. Innovation and creativity will be amplified by bringing new researchers and novel ideas into the genomics. Participation of underrepresented populations and underserved communities that experience health disparities (including understudied Asian Americans, African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, and importantly, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders) will be increased in genomics research. Institutional investments will ensure the sustainability of the proposed PCGR to provide the infrastructure and resources for a new era of research excellence on the science of genome research. We also appreciate the opportunity to become a member of the consortium together with other Centers funded under this FOA and the companion FPA, and develop best practices and opportunities for synergy among Centers. We are excited to share resources, data, and experience we accumulate in our UHM Center to Centers of other MSIs.