Administration and Coordination Core

Administrative and Coordination Core: PROJECT SUMMARY
The proposed Northwestern University Center for Chromatin NanoImaging in Cancer (NU-CCNIC) will bring together leading cancer research biologists from the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center in the Feinberg School of Medicine and world-renowned imaging and molecular modeling specialists from the McCormick School of Engineering with the goal of facilitating innovation and application of cutting-edge imaging techniques to help solve some of the most pressing problems in cancer biology research. The Administrative and Coordination Core (ACC) will be led by PI Vadim Backman. The day-to-day administration of the NU-CCNIC will be managed by the Center Administrator, who will be responsible for maintaining all records relative to this award and ensuring communication, synergy, and resource sharing across the NU-CCNIC. Additionally, Center administration will be supported by a Program Manager, who, in collaboration with the Center Administrator, will be responsible for the development of the NU-CCNIC website, scheduling meetings and events, facilitating the sharing of resources, determine whether there will be pre-publication data sharing across the NU-CCNIC, and aid in conversations about data quality control, cross validation, and reproducibility. An External Advisory Panel (EAP) will be formed, bringing together investigators with expertise in fields related to cancer stem cell plasticity and chromatin nanoimaging. The EAP is envisioned as a group of highly active members engaged to advise the NU-CCNIC leadership on scientific direction and review progress evaluation, research strategies and implementation, leadership and dissemination, all in the effort to maximize the impact of the NU-CCNIC. The NU-CCNIC will enhance the translational value and potential impact of its research by engaging a Cancer Research Advocate, who will be a member of the EAP and will be invited to attend NU-CCNIC workshops and site visits. The ACC will support weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, and quarterly research meetings to foster communication, collaboration and integration of the NU-CCNIC and will further support communication and wide-reaching knowledge dissemination through bi-annual workshops with outside speakers. In Aim 1, the Administrative Core will promote and ensure clear and effective communication across the Technology Development (TECH) and Research Test-Bed (RTB) Units. In Aim 2, we will plan and establish regular Center meetings and research workshops to foster communications within the NU-CCNIC and to the broader community that are critical to our research mission and dissemination. In Aim 3, we will work to increase the number of graduate students and postdocs entering the biomedical research workforce of the NU-CCNIC. In Aim 4, we will partner with the cancer research advocate to ensure the critical importance of the patient perspective in the NU-CCNIC. In Aim 5, we will work with the EAP and Cancer Research Advocate on NU-CCNIC evaluation programs to ensure Center progress is accomplished on a timely basis and that resources are allocated judiciously.

Grant Number: 5U54CA268084-05
NIH Institute/Center: NIH
Principal Investigator: Vadim Backman