Administrative Core

University Of Idaho, Moscow ID

Investigators

Abstract

ADMINISTRATIVE CORE Modified Project Summary/Abstract Section The Administrative Core is the organizing hub of the Center for Modeling Complex Interactions and directly supports the overarching goal of the Center: To sustain an intellectual, cultural, and physical environment to foster convergence in model-based, interdisciplinary, biomedical research. The Administrative Core manages all scientific, fiscal, administrative and evaluative aspects of the Center. Specific examples are to manage the budget and personnel, to collect and evaluate data to identify possible deficiencies, and to prepare annual reports. In addition, the Administrative Core coordinates all activities of the Center, including mentoring events, meetings of the Admin Team and Advisory Committee, and engagement activities such as Working Groups, Brown Bag Lunches, social writing events, retreats, and a seminar series. The Core also manages the Pilot Project Program that focuses on supporting NIH Early-Stage and New Investigators, especially those involved in collaborative research. The Administrative Core has four Specific Aims: (1) Provide effective and efficient oversight of the administrative, fiscal, and scientific management of the Center. Oversight resides with the two PIs, assisted by other Admin Team members (an additional four faculty members) and staff (three members). The Program Manager assists with financial tasks, reporting, and compliance. The Advisory Committee assists with scientific oversight and approves Pilot Projects. (2) Mentor faculty to establish and sustain independently funded research programs and become leaders in interdisciplinary biomedical research. The Administrative Core will provide mentoring and career development opportunities to increase faculty success in obtaining biomedical research funding and attaining promotion/tenure. The Core will also identify and train future leaders in interdisciplinary biomedical research. Mentoring activities include one-on-one meetings with senior faculty, priority access to proposal development assistance, and social writing events. (3) Build and support a long-term sustainability plan under the umbrella of the Institute for Modeling Collaboration & Innovation. The Administrative Core will work to maintain our status as a university research institute; this provides funds for staff and Modeling Core postdocs. We will also focus on continued engagement by Center participants to catalyze interactions and promote future interdisciplinary, biomedical projects. (4) Use strong formative and summative evaluation to increase productivity, impact, and sustainability. The Administrative Core has developed milestones for success for the Center and its participants such as mentored faculty and Modeling Core postdocs. Progress is monitored yearly using a cumulative reporting system that minimizes the burden on investigators.