Administrative Core

PROJECT SUMMARY A NIAMS resource-based center that provides critical infrastructure and unique services, is inclusive, collaborative, multidisciplinary, and leverages existing university resources for efficiency and synergy to promote new research in skin biology and diseases. This requires specific administrative leadership and support to be

successful. The University of Michigan Skin Biology and Diseases Resource-based Center (UM-SBDRC) consists of an ambitious, highly integrated center program with two one-of-a-kind service cores that are led and managed by an Administrative Core (AC). In this application, the AC is taking on the additional responsibilities

of providing a streamlined platform for current and additional core services for self-sustainability, management of material transfers of cell lines and other materials in and out of service cores, and enhancements to its enrichment program to encourage more membership from diverse backgrounds. We will achieve this by 1)

providing leadership, oversight, and support for the Center, 2) Providing effective Center management strategies 3) providing a system for evaluating Center effectiveness and success to ensure we achieve our goals 4) to provide and coordinate an effective communications platform and 5) to implement a robust Enrichment Program.

The Administrative Core will also build on an effective communications platform of their existing interactive and informational websites, newsletters, program and informational emails, by website platform improvements, and additional ways to engage Center members. In addition, to enhance the research environment and provide

opportunities for member interaction and collaboration, the Administrative Core will continue its robust Enrichment Program. This includes a 1) Pilot & Feasibility Program, 2) Mentoring Program, 3) Travel Award Program, 4) Visiting Scholar Program, and 5) Annual Symposium. As a result of past Center activities and the

outstanding training and services provided by the Resource Cores, the University of Michigan SBDRC has had a powerful and sustained impact on cutaneous biology research at the University of Michigan, nationally and internationally. The Center will continue to facilitate skin-related research activities by its members, bring new

investigators and disciplines into the field, enhance research infrastructure for improved communication and scientific interactions, increase the visibility of the cutaneous research community at the University of Michigan and around the world, and lead to additional major new research initiatives and external support for team-science

projects relevant to the NIAMS mission. The research infrastructure and programs provided through the UM- SBDRC will continue to help translate basic discoveries from the lab to the clinic, improving the health of patients with a variety of skin disorders.