Administrative Core for the Superfund Research Program

The overarching hypothesis of the BCM-Rice Superfund Research Program is that maternal exposure to PAHs, which are present in Superfund sites, increases the risk of PTB and incrementally augments major morbidities such as BPD and neurocognitive deficits.

The Administrative Core acts as the center of communication within the program, responsible for creating an efficient organizational structure. To this end, the core facilitates interdisciplinary communication, collaboration, and integration of the program’s research projects and cores.

The leaders of the Administrative Core bring their collective scientific, educational, and leadership experience to guide the BCM-Rice SRP and address Superfund directives. It also explores creative ways to promote investigator-initiated research translation opportunities with assistance from the research translation coordinators.

This core plays a key role in the communication with various external stakeholders, including NIEHS and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, as well as with community partners, in close collaboration with the Community Engagement Core. This core takes an active role with the Research Experience and Training Coordination Core to create a vibrant training program and foster the development of environmental health and science professionals.

The core ensures financial responsibility and management of the center and works with the Data Management and Analysis Core to ensure responsible management of data. This includes working with project and core leaders, the Office of Research, and individual departments to ensure accomplishment of the proposed aims.

The core collaborates with sister SRPs as needed and leverages support and resources so the goals of the BCM-Rice SRP are accomplished in a timely and efficient manner and avoid duplication of efforts.