Administrative and Resource Access Core

Washington University, Saint Louis MO

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY ARAC The overarching mission of the WU-DDRCC is to promote collaborative, multidisciplinary research focused on interactions between host and environment in digestive disease (DD). The Administrative and Resource Access Core (ARAC) coordinates, manages all activities of the WU-DDRCC, maximizing value for members from all Cores and Enrichment Programs. These goals are accomplished by: (1) Aligning Core services and technologies to reflect thematic interests of our Research Base; (2) Promoting multidisciplinary, collaborative research in digestive disease through an Enrichment Program of weekly seminars, visiting speakers, journal clubs, symposia and mini-sabbaticals; (3) Nurturing junior faculty career development via Pilot and Feasibility (P/F) awards that facilitate scientific independence and dedicated mentoring sessions: (4) Catalyzing collaborative interactions among other NIDDK funded Centers locally, regionally with other DDRCCs (Midwest Alliance), and nationally via NIDDK. The ARAC oversees responsive stewardship of the research base and scientific Cores and via strategic allocation of supplemental awards that leverage institutional Cores. ARAC is guided by Internal (IAB), External (EAB) and Community (CAB) Advisory Boards. KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS SINCE 2019: (1) Continued alignment of membership reflecting engagement and evolving interests; departures balanced by recruitment (55 full members 12/2023 vs 50 full members 12/2019; 23/55 (42%) of current full members are new since 2019. (2) Focused and engaged research base garnering Annual Direct Costs (ADC) ($34.64M 12/2023 vs $30.86M 12/2019). (3) Evolution of Core services including our Biobank’s new Big Data initiative; leveraging intramural partnerships to expand imaging capacity. (4) Successful P/F outcomes, reflecting a 36:1 return on investment and launching academic careers (95% still active in DD research) since 2013; (4) Enrichment Program featuring ~15 external speakers/year. (5) a new annual retreat; hosting 2022 Midwest DDRCC from 5 other regional DDRCCs. Our SPECIFIC AIMS are: (1) Provide leadership, governance, and oversight for members, including strategic alignment of Core services, guided by objective periodic surveys to gauge current and future needs of the Research Base. (2). Manage and oversee Core services to assure timely, high quality, specialized expertise, guided by an Internal Executive Committee (IEC) and an Internal Advisory Board (IAB) (3). Review Research Base membership and align thematic interests, guided by IEC and Thematic Program Co-leaders. (4). Promote scientific independence for junior faculty through a P/F Program guided by an External Advisory Board (EAB) who review and select awardees, informed by Community Advisory Board (CAB) input. (5). Promote collaboration, new scientific initiatives, and career development through a dynamic Enrichment Program. (6). Assure continued administrative and scientific dialog with other Midwest DDRCCs as well as the NIDDK DDRCC program.