Developing a Culture of Biomedical Research at the University of the Virgin Islands

项目总结 这项提议将加强和创新加州大学的生物医学研究基础设施和培训。 维尔京群岛(UVI)，美属维尔京群岛(USVI)唯一的高等教育机构。总体目标 这项建议的目的是通过以下方式为生物医学研究提供最高水平的赞助项目服务 通过培训、指导、合作和强大的基础设施发展研究文化。UVI的 愿景是发展研究，从而增加外部优秀的教职员工数量 资助的生物医学研究将能够指导具有职业潜力的本科生 科学。这个项目有几个激励因素：(1)科学工作者的多样性是 未来的生物医学发现将改善国家的健康，而像UVI这样的HBCU有 在培养在科学方面代表性不足的学生方面发挥重要作用。(2)USVI是一种医学上的 服务不足的地区经历了巨大的健康差距和包括登革热在内的新疾病， 基孔肯雅热、寨卡病毒和最近的冠状病毒，它们不仅在加勒比地区很重要，而且 在美国本土不断增加。在美属维尔京群岛和英属维尔京群岛，很少有关于人口健康的研究 继续关注这些领域的研究。(3)丰富的本科生研究经验对于 让学生为竞争激烈的博士项目做好准备。尽管弗吉尼亚大学有非常成功的项目， 在研究方面指导本科生，有更多的UVI学生对研究经验感兴趣 可以在外部资助的研究实验室中使用。(4)UVI在#年建立了创新文化 其2018-2023年战略计划以及通过这项研究的基础设施和创新是一个主要的重点领域，并 得到总统和高级领导层的支持。UVI机构发展计划(IDP)解决障碍 研究并告知本建议的具体目标：(1)发展UVI的研究管理领导力 和组织，这样它是受过良好的培训，资源，并有动力来支持研究文化。(2) 为科研人员制定研究评审和培训计划，以增加数量和改善 提交建议书的竞争力(3)增加大学生在以下领域的指导和培训机会 生物医学研究通过支持教职员工获得外部资金。这个项目是创新的，因为它将 将IDP完全纳入UVI的2018-2023年战略计划进行研究，为整个机构提供强有力的支持 承诺。研究和培训创新包括有针对性的培训举措，涵盖 HBCU研究的研究、更多的外展努力、培训和赠款撰写倡议以及重点小组 管理员克服地理隔离的障碍。UVI的逻辑模型将用于确保 每项活动都将有助于形成可持续的研究愿景，并促进整个大学文化的发展 支持研究。

PROJECT SUMMARY This proposal will enhance and innovate the biomedical research infrastructure and training at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI), the only higher educational institution in the US Virgin Islands (USVI). The overall objective of this proposal is to provide the highest level of sponsored program services for biomedical research by developing a culture of research through training, mentoring, collaboration and a strong infrastructure. UVI’s vision is to develop research resulting in an increase in the number of faculty conducting excellent externally funded biomedical research who will be able to mentor undergraduate students with potential for careers in science. There are several motivating factors for this project: (1) Diversity in the scientific workforce is key to the future biomedical discoveries that will improve the health of the Nation, and HBCUs such as UVI have an important role to play in training students who are underrepresented in science. (2) The USVI is a medically underserved area that experiences dramatic health disparities and emerging diseases including dengue, chikungunya, Zika, and the more recent coronavirus, which are important not only in the Caribbean but are also increasing on the US mainland. Little research on population health has been performed in the USVI and UVI continues to look at research in these areas. (3) Extensive undergraduate research experience is essential to prepare students for highly competitive doctoral programs. Although UVI has very successful programs that mentor undergraduates in research, there are many more UVI students interested in research experience than can be accommodated in externally funded research laboratories. (4) UVI has established a culture of innovation in its 2018-2023 Strategic Plan and through this research infrastructure and innovation is a primary focus area and is supported by the President and senior leadership. The UVI Institutional Development Plan (IDP) addresses barriers to research and informs the Specific Aims of this proposal: (1) Develop UVI’s research administration leadership and organization such that it is well-trained, resourced, and motivated to support a culture of research. (2) Develop research review and training programs for research faculty to increase the number and improve the competitiveness of proposal submissions (3) Increase mentorship and training opportunities for undergraduates in biomedical research by supporting faculty to receive external funding. This program is innovative because it will fully integrate the IDP for research within UVI’s 2018-2023 Strategic Plan, providing strong institution-wide commitment. Research and training innovations include targeted training initiatives covering the life cycle of research, increased outreach efforts, training and grant writing initiatives and focus groups of HBCU research administrators to overcome the barrier of geographic isolation. UVI’s logic model will be used to ensure that each activity will contribute to a sustainable vision for research and to developing a University-wide culture supporting research.