Core A: Administrative

The Administrative Core’s overall missions are to catalyze the activities of the Massachusetts ADRC (MADRC) to innovate by facilitating communications between clinical and basic science laboratories as we reach towards our goal of understanding the earliest phases of Alzheimer disease and related disorders. We will also educate our peers, and the lay public on the urgency, importance, value and availability of these research programs and the impact of furthering our understanding of Alzheimer’s disease. To accomplish these goals, we will set the overall direction for the Center, ensure optimal utilization of Center resources, and provide a sense of cohesion and focus.

The Administrative Core serves as the interface between the MADRC and the rich local environment at Massachusetts General Hospital and the affiliated Partners HealthCare system, Harvard Medical School, and the closely associated Harvard School of Public Health. The Core similarly serves as the interface between the Center and national and international cooperative research programs in therapeutics, diagnostics, and pathobiology. In addition, a major focus is to administer and actively support a Pilot Project Program by recruiting and reviewing projects, integrating them within the context of Center resources, and mentoring the investigators, as part of the broader goal of developing young scientists and clinicians to join a vibrant research community focused on AD and related dementias.

Our specific aims

Aim 1. Provide Administrative direction and financial management and oversight for Center activities.

Establish and support an Executive Committee of Core and Project leaders and key personnel to advise and support the PI, as well as appropriate subcommittees to carry out the administrative functions of the Center. Coordinate and integrate Center activities, provide direction for utilization of resources and future planning, and enhance collaborations across departments, units, local institutions, and national efforts to create an energetic multi- and cross-disciplinary approach to understanding AD and related disorders. The Administrative Core will also provide fiscal accountability and business management expertise for the Center, and ensure compliance with institutional, NIH and HIPAA policies and requirements related to human subjects and animal research.

Aim 2. Establish an External Advisory Board to support and review research programs and Center activities. Recruit the EAB members, arrange for formal annual meetings and frequent informal discussions, and facilitate incorporation of their recommendations into MADRC’s directions and programs.

Aim 3. Recruit, identify, and support Pilot projects. To promote the recruitment, review, and awarding of a vibrant pilot project program related to AD and other dementias. To identify and administratively support a Pilot Project Review Committee. To provide mentoring for Pilot Project awardees by pairing them with senior MADRC personnel.

Aim 4. Coordinate MADRC with national efforts. To encourage and enhance cooperation with national and international efforts including timely data submission to NACC, participation in the UDS, ADCS, ADNI and Alzheimer Disease Genetics Consortium (ADGC) initiatives, to coordinate national efforts at standardization of research programs such as the FTD module and the NACC neuropathology initiative, as well as other national and international research initiatives.

Aim 5. Encourage and support new dementia related research initiatives leveraging MADRC resources and infrastructure. To advance collaborative research at our institution and across institutions, nationally and internationally, and to support new research opportunities directed towards uncovering the etiology, pathogenic mechanisms, and ultimate cure or prevention of Alzheimer’s and related disorders from their earliest phases. This aim includes efforts to recruit outstanding Key Personnel to the Center.