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Administration and Biometry Core

University of Alabama Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center
Administration and Biometry Core

Center URL: http://www.mrrc.uab.edu/
Core URL: http://www.mrrc.uab.edu/corea.htm

Core Personnel
Core Co-Director: Bruce Korf, M.D., Ph.D.
Core Co-Director: Alan Percy, M.D.
Core Co-Director: Harald Sontheimer, Ph.D.

Core Description

The overall objective of the Administrative and Biometry Core is to provide administrative support services to investigators at the UAB MRRC including: scientific and administrative leadership for the MRRC as a whole.

The Administrative and Biometry Core is the focal point of the MRRC. It represents the bridge between all of the Cores and must facilitate closing the translational gap between basic and clinical research as we move from cellular to circuit level in understanding the underpinnings of MRDD and providing rational interventions and preventive strategies. Our integrated approach in moving from population-based studies to the development of model systems will require constant oversight and stimulation from the MRRC leadership. As such, the PI's have committed significant effort to ensuring that this MRRC is a tightly integrated unit and not simply a loosely knit consortium of investigators working on projects involving the developing nervous system and the related cognitive and neurodevelopmental disorders.

The specific objectives incorporate and exploit population-based data related to environmental and genetic factors underlying mental retardation and neurodevelopmental disabilities in addition to provide scientific and administrative leadership for the MRRC as well as providing essential communication support to the MRRC investigators.

UAB MRRC Administrative and Biometry Core objectives are:

  1. To create an integrated approach to research in mental retardation and neurodevelopmental disabilities by exploiting the on-going population-based studies examining environmental and genetic factors through the activities of the Research Cores;
  2. To manage the fiscal and personnel activities necessary to achieve the overall objectives of the MRRC and the Research Cores;
  3. To refine and maintain an effective website allowing the MRRC to maximize data sharing and information dissemination on mental retardation and neurodevelopmental disability research to the scientific community, to advocates and consumers, and the general public;
  4. To attract new investigators to the MRRC and to the field of mental retardation and developmental disabilities by collaborative interactions and joint recruitment for new faculty into tenure-track positions;
  5. To facilitate collaboration among MRRC scientists, pre- and post-doctoral students, and research staff through a monthly seminar series;
  6. To establish an external Advisory Committee to provide scientific advice for the MRRC as a whole and to review and provide guidance to the Research Cores;
  7. To offer high quality media support services to investigators including the utilization of video conferencing to maximize efficiency of information exchange;
  8. To support small-scale pilot research and feasibility studies for promising, young investigators in order to increase competitiveness for external funding; the CIRC nder the leadership of Drs. Sontheimer and Percy and, as a representation of our commitment to the MRRC, initiated an annual pilot research program in the summer of 2005. As a result, in October, 2005 CIRC funding was awarded ($25,000 each) to four young investigators whose projects relate to mental retardation and neurodevelopmental disabilities.
  9. To provide technical assistance and other support services in study design and grant preparation relative to funding for MRDD research and research training.


Last Edited: 08/17/06 12:00 AM by Evette Mezger