HERCULES: Exposome Research Center

Emory University, Atlanta GA

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

HERCULES: ADMINISTRATIVE CORE – SUMMARY Critical to ensuring the success of the mission of the HERCULES: Exposome Research Center in learning how the exposome affects health and community well-being and using that knowledge to improve human health is assuring the close integration of each of the cores and programs of the Center towards the promotion and application of the HERCULES exposome concept in environmental health research. The Administrative Core will continue to serve critical leadership, organizational, and identity roles for the HERCULES Center, while also serving to collectively evaluate the center for its progress and success and implement changes as necessary to continuously improve operations and utility of the Center. With an array of funding, mentoring, and scientific resources available, the Administrative Core will rapidly respond to diverse and changing Member exposome research support needs. Aim 1. Promote the HERCULES scientific vision through a supportive Center structure and leadership. The HERCULES Center structure is designed to support HERCULES in its vision to serve as an intellectual hub in the advancement and translation of exposome research to improve human health. The Director, Deputy Director, Evaluator and Administrator will oversee and coordinate Center activities, with support and advisement from the Executive Committee, Internal Advisory Board, External Advisory Board, and Stakeholder Advisory Board. Aim 2. Support the HERCULES mission through coordination and integration of HERCULES research and activities. The Admin Core coordinates and integrates the work of all HERCULES Cores to achieve our mission to learn how the exposome affects health and community well-being and how to best use that knowledge to improve human health. The primary mechanisms for furthering this aim will be regularly-scheduled Members Meetings, an annual Member Retreat, seminar series designed to educate Members and our community, and frequent communication about HERCULES events, research, and resources through multiple platforms designed to reach scientists and the community. Aim 3. Effectively manage Center resources through tracking and evaluation. To effectively manage Center resources and demonstrate success across each of the Center Cores and Programs a dedicated HERCULES Program Evaluator will be added as an executive position within the Center Admin Core. We will incorporate meaningful metrics and record keeping that demonstrate the productivity, effectiveness, and appropriateness of our activities, and use that data in conjunction with the advice of the Executive Committee, Internal Advisory Board, External Advisory Board, and Stakeholder Advisory Board, to continuously improve the Center. Aim 4. Oversee the recruitment, appointment, evaluation, termination, training, and development of Center Members. The HERCULES Admin Core will play an active role in recruiting, mentoring, and promoting professional development of its members. The goals of the HERCULES recruitment and training program will continue to be aligned with the Strategic Priorities of NIEHS and those of the Center, promoting interdisciplinary partnerships and translational exposomic research for all HERCULES stakeholders. Professional development opportunities include mentoring, grant-writing assistance, and funding for protected time and opportunities to develop new research directions. Aim 5. Facilitate interactions with HERCULES partners. HERCULES will continue to actively engage with diverse stakeholders on multiple tiers. The Administrative Core will serve as the conduit to NIEHS officials, other NIH institutes, Environmental Protection Agency, Centers for Disease Control, Georgia Research Alliance, other universities (especially other NIEHS Core Centers), and our community partners. The Administrative Core serves this role in two directions, bringing the results of HERCULES research to scientific and community partners, but, importantly, also bringing feedback, goals, and opportunities from partners back to HERCULES Cores and Members. By aggressively pursuing the above aims, the Administrative Core will ensure that HERCULES remains on its path of excellence by providing a combination of inspirational vision, scientific oversight, coordination, fiscal management, resource allocation, and critical evaluation of activities.