Biomedical Research, Health Disparities and the Digital Divide: Programs at the NCRR

1. Biomedical Research, Health Disparities and the Digital Divide: Programs at the NCRR Susan R. Kayar, Ph.D. KayarS@mail.nih.gov Division of Research Infrastructure National Center for Research Resources National Institutes of Health, DHHS www.ncrr.nih.gov/resinfra.htm

2. Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) • Designed to expand the Nation’s capacity for conducting biomedical and behavioral research at institutions granting doctoral degrees to minorities; • Strengthen research environments and improve faculty research competitiveness; • Enhance the clinical research capacity at minority institutions.

4. RCMI International Symposium on Health Disparities • A biannual event focusing on global health disparities that highlights the research at the 19 RCMI institutions. • Eighth symposium held in Honolulu, December 2002, featuring over 250 scientific sessions. • Calls for the need to reduce health disparities by 2010.

5. RCMI Clinical Research CentersNetwork • Theme of treatment of renal disease; • A single protocol will be developed; • Focus will be on specific minority populations; • Involves data sharing among institutions: • Charles Drew (Los Angeles) • University of Hawaii • Morehouse School of Medicine • Meharry Medical College • University of Puerto Rico

6. How is the Internet used at RCMI Institutions ? • All the usual academic uses • Research training and faculty development • Bioinformatics and computational biology • Research networks on health disparities • Global collaborations on ethnic-specific diseases

7. Plans to Enhance Technology Infrastructure at RCMI Institutions • Provide funding supplements in 2003 specifically to enhance tech infrastructure; • Highlight support for: • staff in bioinformatics and data management cores; • computer hardware and software; • Internet2 access.

8. Institutional Development Award (IDeA) • Designed to enhance the competitiveness for biomedical research funding of institutions located in states with historically low funding from NIH. • Inclusion of underserved populations is a primary feature. • Research focus is broad.

9. Eligibility Criteria • Less than 20% success ratefor obtaining NIH grants (1997 –2001). • Less than$75M in NIH funding (1997-2001). 23 States and Puerto Rico

10. How is the Internet used at IDeA-Funded Institutions? • Communications • E-mail and basic computer services • Library access • Website design and utilization • Video teleconferencing • Genomics and Proteomics data management • Imaging • Equipment linking and collaboratories • Data Mining • Computing at high speed, high capacity • Archiving of databases

11. Hawaii COBRE Research: • Creating a center for cardiovascular biology; • Studying the genetics of vascular tissue elements; • Using special resident populations, especially Japanese Hawaiians; • Collaborating with an international support group for patients with genetic disorder PXE.

12. Hawaii COBRE Internet uses: • Biostatistical analysis • Data management for genomic databases • International collaboration

13. NCRR and Internet2 We look forward to working with you