Emory Specialized Center of Research Excellence (SCORE) on Sex Differences

Emory University, Atlanta GA

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract—Career Enhancement Core The Career Enhancement Core (CEC) supports the growth of early career investigators who focus on women’s health research or sex science and helps to expand the number of NIH independent investigators who newly incorporate sex as a biological variable (SABV) into their research. The philosophy underlying all CEC activities is “Invest in People as well as Projects,” including a particular emphasis on mentoring and encouraging applications from multiple different scientific disciplines. In the Emory SCORE’s inaugural funding cycle, the CEC distributed 21 funding awards to 17 investigators totaling $531,293. The funding and mentoring provided to those investigators directly resulted in $13,395,887 in extramural support from 10 funded projects. To continue the growth of a community of women’s health and sex scientists in the next funding cycle, the CEC proposes to enact the SCORE’s “E.M.O.R.Y.” statement of purpose and Enhance the rigor and reliability of Emory investigator research through the inclusion of SABV, Mentor the next generation of sex scientists, Organize an inter-disciplinary community of science around SABV, Reach across scientific disciplines to form synergistic collaborations, and Yoke the power of the internet to expand our reach beyond the Emory campus. The CEC proposes four programs to accomplish its specific aims. Research funding (AIM 1) will include pilot and accelerator awards for early-stage investigators and add-an-aim awards for NIH-funded independent investigators without a prior history of SABV inclusion. Training and education activities (AIM 2) will include SCORE Scholar Travel Awards, biostatistical training with Sexy Stats tutorials, and a 10-month Planning for Success R-level grant writing course. Mentoring (AIM 3) on study design, implementation, and peer review will be provided to CEC awardees, postdoctoral fellows, and early stage/new investigators. Professional development (AIM 4) will include a monthly SexMatters seminar series, travel exchange scholarships, and half-day intensive courses. The CEC will be co-led by one faculty member in the Rollins School of Public Health, Department of Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences with twenty years of experience in education and the evaluation of complex multi-disciplinary research organizations and one faculty member in the School of Medicine, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics with an active translational research program applying molecular and bioinformatic techniques to understand health problems that affect women.