The Administrative Core served as a centralized governing resource for the COBRE, providing mentoring services to COBRE investigators and serving as a liaison between the Internal Advisory Committee, External Advisory Committee, institutional administration and COBRE Investigators. The Core provided mentoring teams and administrative support to 16 COBRE junior scientists, implemented and expanded multidisciplinary enrichment programs, and supported collaborations between Oklahoma investigators statewide.

 

COBRE Management

The Administrative Core provided the necessary infrastructure for the day-to-day management of the COBRE, including coordinating communication, managing budgets, disseminating management decisions, prioritizing Core usage, and implementing data sharing strategies.

The Administrative Core also provided services for COBRE Investigators, including project and career mentoring, career development advice and training opportunities, grant application and publication support, assistance with regulatory compliance, and access to core facility services.

 

Mentoring Process

From its inception, the OMRF COBRE was committed to the mentoring and development of our junior investigators. Each mentor in this COBRE held independent NIH funding, at least a decade of biomedical research experience, and a history of successfully mentoring trainees to independent research careers. Each Junior COBRE Investigator was mentored by a senior mentor and two additional mentors. In addition to providing guidance at regular mentoring sessions, mentors helped the Junior CORE Investigators develop strong grant proposals by evaluating at least one proposal per year prior to submission.

 

Multidisciplinary Enrichment COBRE Programs

The Science in a Culture of Mentoring Administrative Core initiated or expanded a wide variety of multidisciplinary enrichment activities which continue to support the scientific and career development of our investigators. These include the annual Ishmael Lectureship, weekly OMRF Research Forum, bi-weekly Immunology Journal Club, and weekly Autoimmune Disease Research Forum.