Administrative Core

Project Summary. The Administrative Core forms the nucleus of the COBRE Phase III Center for Neuroplasticity at the University of Puerto Rico. It supports the four-fold objectives of this COBRE Center: 1) Recruit and foster development of early career investigators working on projects with broad biomedical relevance to neuroscience

and neuroplasticity, 2) Upgrade, maintain, and promote a state-of-the-art instrumentation core that combines imaging and electrophysiological approaches, 3) Implement a long-term business plan that will sustain the UPR- CCfN, the Neuroimaging and Electrophysiology Facility (NIEF) core, and programmatic activities that promote

multidisciplinary collaborations at the basic and translational levels, 4) Sustain an island-wide globally recognized COBRE Center for Neuroplasticity with translational and therapeutic applications to neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders. The Administrative Core incorporates all programmatic facets of this initiative,

including Faculty Career Development Activities (Laboratory Management, Grant Writing, Manuscript Preparation) and Neuroscience Research Infrastructure Enhancement programs (Seminar Series, Neuroscientist-in-Residence, Annual Puerto Rico Neuroscience Conference, Outreach Activities, and Academic Partnerships). The Administrative Core is composed of a team of individuals with proven track records and

experience in the operation and management of large multi-faceted research and training programs. Oversight is the responsibility of the Administrative Core Director, Dr. Mark Miller. Miller serves as liaison between the program and its Evaluation Module and he coordinates communication with NIGMS officials. The Administrative

Support Office will continue to be staffed by a highly experienced and dedicated team, including Ms. Bethzaida Birriel, Grants Administrator and Ms. Brenda Caban, Accountant. All fiscal matters will be managed at the UPR Molecular Sciences Resource Center (MSRC) and at the Institute of Neurobiology, two freestanding units of the

University of Puerto Rico. Core personnel will handle most aspects of the post-award administration of funds, including hiring of technicians, postdocs, and students. Finally, the Administrative Core will coordinate all program appraisal and assessment, including the participation of an independent external evaluation team from

Cooperativa de Servicios de Evaluación e Investigación (CoopSEI). The Administrative Core team will organize the Annual COBRE Retreat and Assessment Activity that will enable all stakeholders to meet, exchange ideas, report progress, and plan future strategies. This meeting will serve as the principal forum for developing and

disseminating data required for formative and summative evaluation of all COBRE Center research objectives and programmatic initiatives.