Leadership and Administrative Core (LAC)

The goal of the Leadership and Administrative Core (LAC) is to provide the overall infrastructure and scientific and

intellectual leadership of the translational, interdisciplinary, collaborative, and investigator development functions that are expected of an AD/ADRD RCMAR. The Scientific Theme of Mass-ENVISION (Massachusetts Center for Alzheimer and

dEmeNtia behaVIoral reSearch In minOrity agiNg) is the training and sustained and tailored mentoring of underrepresented in medicine (UiM) scientists in developing, testing and implementing of scientifically rigorous behavioral health

interventions for persons with ADRD (Alzheimer disease and related dementias) and their informal care partners in hospital and community settings. The rationale for selecting this scientific theme is the critical need for new ADRD behavioral

interventions as well as the need to diversify biomedical research, consistent with the call for ADRD behavioral research under RFA-AG-23-025. All RCMAR Scientists will receive training in ADRD behavioral health and interventions research anchored to the newly revised (2022) NIH Stage Model, the Science of Behavior Change, the NIA Health Disparities

Framework and the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) and NAM (National Academy of Medicine) prevention models. The LAC will conduct its work through 3 Specific Aims. Aim 1. Establish the leadership, infrastructure and community to support the Mass-ENVISION Scientific Theme. The LAC will: Provide administrative leadership, oversight and facilitation

of scientific interactions and collaborations across all Cores and component institutions, as well as with other regional NIA Centers, including 2 Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers (ADRCs); Ensure that principles and practices of diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility and anti-racism are integrated throughout all Cores and RCMAR Scientists’ training

experiences; Promote a community-centered focus to the work conducted by all Cores. Aim 2. Support rigorous training and career development for RCMAR Scientists in the Mass-ENVISION Scientific Theme. The LAC will: Coordinate with the Research Education Component and Data and Analysis Core teams to support training of RCMAR Scientists in

knowledge and methodologically rigorous application of novel ADRD behavioral health and interventions. Aim 3. Evaluate success of the RCMAR and of RCMAR Scientists. The LAC will: Create systems, resources and processes for monitoring of mentoring success and progress of RCMAR Scientists and pilot studies; Monitor, record and report performance metrics

of this RCMAR and support dissemination of successful systems, resources and processes to other RCMARs, ADRCs and

the scientific community. The LAC team will consist of PI Dr. Okereke, Associate Director Dr. Budson, a Program Manager, and LAC members Drs. Blacker, Gomez-Isla, Hyman and Keuroghlian; it includes senior leadership members of both the Massachusetts ADRC and Boston University ADRC. The LAC features high levels of leadership, administrative experience,

and complementary skills to oversee and facilitate effective and impactful interactions and collaborations across all Cores, partnering institutions, stakeholders, and programs, to support the achievement of all Aims of Mass-ENVISION.