Participant Memo of Understanding (MOU)
Purpose
The New Mexico IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (NM-INBRE) is the continuation of the New Mexico Biomedical Research Infrastructure Network program (NM-BRIN). The purpose of this program is to strengthen the capacity of New Mexico institution of higher education in order to increase biomedical research activities, and to prepare faculty and students for participation in research programs of the National Institutes of Health. While recognizing the differences that exist among the participating institutions, the program goal is to help create strong, supportive research environments for faculty and students, and to facilitate communication and collaborations among these research institutions. NM-BRIN/INBRE outreach involves activities for students at other 4-year undergraduate institutions, tribal and community colleges in the state, and is directed towards increasing participation in graduate biomedical research programs.
Organization
The organizational structure of the NM-INBRE includes the research intensive doctoral degree granting institutions: New Mexico State University (NMSU), and the University of New Mexico (UNM), with the continuation of NMSU as the lead institution, and involving UNM in the direction of the Science Core. The scientific partner institutions include Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU), New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (NMT), and New Mexico Highlands University (NMHU). Programmatic activies, outreach, and funding are coordinated through the Adminstrative Core (AC). Research activities are coordinated through the Science Core. The thematic research areas of the Science Core include: Structure & Function of Biomolecules; Cell and Organism; Pathogens. The Science Core supports selected research proposals within these areas from promising faculty, coordinates the mentoring progrogram, and fosters research collaborations. Bioinformatics working group activities are coordinated through the Bioinformatics Core. The External Advisory Committee (EAC) provided advice and direction for the research and bioinformatics initiatives. The Steering Committee (SC) establishes and enacts programmatic policies for the operation of the network.
Science Core Progammatic Objectives
As incentive for participation in the network, the Science Core provides financial support through pilot projects for promising faculty to conduct biomedical research in the areas of Cell & Organism, Structure & Function of Biomolecules, and Pathogens. Pilot projects involve one or more laboratory, clinical, and bioinformatics components in research. The primary goals of financial support are to facilitate the maturation of these pilot projects into competitive NIH proposals, provide support to access core facilities within New Mexico, encourage collaboration, and to help solidify the intellectual and technical aspects of the network. Pilot projects will be awarded on a yearly basis with possibility for renewal. Continued funding will be dependent on progress and contribution to the network as determined through evaluation. The progress of the individual investigators will be monitored through program evaluation, and will subsequently be reported to the SC and EAC. New proposals will be considered through the project period on an annual cycle.
Expectations of Faculty Investigator Participation
Pilot project funding is provided as a vehicle for obtaining external funding and to provide resources for faculty and student development. It is expected that faculty investigators will devote sufficient effort to research activities and career development. Additional participation is expected in significant network activities including (1) faculty development mentoring program, (2) student training, (3) individual research progress, (4) collaborative research, (5) annual conference, (6) INBRE presentations, (7) core facilities, and (8) bioinformatics. Progress in these areas will be factored into consideration for continued sponsorship by NM-BRIN/INBRE.
Faculty Development-Mentoring program
A key component of the NM-BRIN/INBRE is the continued professional development of faculty, leading to advancement and entry into the NIH grant system. Toward this primary goal, faculty will be assisted through the formalized mentoring program (please refer to the appended mentor relationship agreement).
Student Training
The network serves as an important mechanism for recruiting and training students in biomedical research. NM-BRIN/INBRE defines this activity as involvement and training of undergraduate and/or graduate students in the funded research. The training should also include facilitating student participation in the annual conference, and encouraging student applications for travel funds relating to research, use of core facilities, and attendance at conferences or workshops. Additional training in the form of lectures presented at research and outreach institutions is important for making contacts with students and disseminating research results. These collective efforts contribute to establishing a pipeline for recruiting students, and will be viewed as an excellent service contribution to the network.
Individual Research Progress
The progress of pilot projects will be evaluated using summary reports, programmatic evaluation tools, PHS 2590 progress report forms, and through presentations at the annual conference. Tangible evidence of progress includes collection of preliminary data, publications, presentations, and submission of grants that stem from this work.
Collaborative Research
The program's objective involves the formation of strong research collaborations as part of a multidisciplinary research network. It is expected that faculty investigators will form scientific collaborations during the NM-INBRE funding period. This includes interactions with mentors, and the identification of research collaborators. These relationships should be directed towards the submission of multi-investigator research proposals, and can provide an accessible mechanism for external funding at partner institutions.
Annual Conference
The annual conference provides an opportunity for the interaction of all program participants. It is expected that all faculty investigators present an update of their research, and contribute in service activities associated with the organization and operation of this meeting. Student researchers should also participate in the conference. Mentors are encouraged to attend this meeting as part of the regularly scheduled contact with mentees, and also because their participation is valuable for building the scientific strength of the network. The attendance of other institutional administrative representatives and business representatives is also encouraged.
INBRE Presentations
In addition to the annual conference, research results and training activities can be disseminated through participation in INBRE presentations. These activities include organization of guest lecture series, workshops, videoconferences, faculty/student travel awards, and lectures presented to research and outreach institutions in the network. Participation of the Science Core, External Advisory Committee, Steering Committee, mentors, and program participants will identify types of developmental activities and topics for lecture series and workshops (i.e. specific research subjects and speakers, grantsmanship, specialized training, ethics, etc.).
Core Facilities
The BRIN/INBRE core facilities have been requested to support the research of the faculty pilot projects. It is anticipated that faculty and student research will involve use of existing core facilities, or otherwise lead to efforts to develop new cores supporting the network.
Bioinformatics
Technical bioinformatics expertise and data management and analysis tools are required for competitive, multi-disciplinary biomedical research. It is expected that faculty investigators participate in the development and or use of bioinformatics relating to their research. Bioinformatics training in the forms of lectures, workshops, videoconferences, and course development are also viewed as valuable contributions.
Criteria for Completion of INBRE Project Support
Completion of funding will follow successful external funding for the pilot project, or upon determination by the SC that the project has achieved preliminary results that are sufficient for submission of external proposals, or SC determination that the desired project goals and/or professional development will not be met with continued funding.
Roles of Other Program Participants
Other network participants include the principal investigator (PI), science core director, institutional liaison/steering committee members (SC), external advisory committee (EAC), mentors, research collaborators, core facility directors, bioinformatics working group, and outreach institutions.
Principal Investigator
The PI is responsible for leading the NM-INBRE program as a collaborative effort of all the parties. The PI holds primary responsibility for funding and administration of the program. The PI serves as chair of the SC, and coordinates interactions with the EAC. The PI works closely with the science core director to lead the scientific development of the network. The PI is responsible for agency reporting, notification of significant changes in scope, budget, or key personnel, and coordination of requests for supplemental funding.
Science Core Director
The SCD provides advice and leadership for the scientific development of the network of biomedical researchers participating in the NM-BRIN/INBRE program. The SCD is a member of the NM-BRIN/INBRE steering committee and interacts with the administrative core, bioinformatics core, and external advisory committee. The SCD oversees the progress of faculty investigators conducting research in the scientific thematic areas that are the focus of NM-BRIN/INBRE. This progress is evaluated using information collected through the administrative office as part of program evaluation, and through individual contact with participants. The SCD provides advice for the identification of possible mentors and research collaborators. The SCD works with the faculty investigators and institutional liaisons to identify specific research needs or existing problems. The SCD makes recommendations for specific workshop topics, and invited speakers for conferences and seminar series. The science core director coordinates the proposal/project review process.
Institutional Liaison/Steering Committee Members
The Steering Committee (SC) consists of the PI as chairperson, the Vice Provost for Research NMSU, the Science Core Director, the Bioinformatics Core Director, and Institutional Liaisons from each of the participating campuses including UNM, NMT, ENMU, and NMHU. The SC will establish the policies and operating procedures of both itself and the NM-INBRE. The SC will meet at least three times during the first year of the award, and at least semi-annually thereafter. The SC will also develop strategies for interaction with the EAC. The SC will oversee the development of workshops, lecture series, and will review the progress of faculty and student development. Any disputes between or among any of the parties to the Agreement, which cannot otherwise be resolved collegially, and shall be forwarded to the Steering Committee for Resolution.
Each institution will select a representative to serve as a liaison/SC member to represent the institution as part of the INBRE program and provide effective communication with other program entities. This individual will interact with the faculty research investigators to assist in the development of their research programs. The liaison will interact with mentors and core facility directors at the institution. These interactions may involve multiple departments, and effective working relationships across department lines are expected. The individual will represent the institutions overall participation in the INBRE program during scheduled meetings of the steering committee. The liaison will identify new eligible faculty and provide information for INBRE research opportunities. The liaison will represent the needs and interests of the students from that institution in order to facilitate an increase in the number of students participating in biomedical research. The liaison will coordinate the reporting activities of the institution according to the timeline defined by the INBRE administrative core. The liaison will manage a budget that includes funds to compensate effort up to a maximum of ten percent, and travel funds to support faculty and student travel to INBRE conferences, workshops, and lecture series.
Science Core Director
The Steering Committee (SC) consists of the PI as chairperson, the Vice Provost for Research NMSU, the Science Core Director, the Bioinformatics Core Director, and Institutional Liaisons from each of the participating campuses including UNM, NMT, ENMU, and NMHU. The SC will establish the policies and operating procedures of both itself and the NM-INBRE. The SC will meet at least three times during the first year of the award, and at least semi-annually thereafter. The SC will also develop strategies for interaction with the EAC. The SC will oversee the development of workshops, lecture series, and will review the progress of faculty and student development. Any disputes between or among any of the parties to the Agreement, which cannot otherwise be resolved collegially, and shall be forwarded to the Steering Committee for Resolution.
Each institution will select a representative to serve as a liaison/SC member to represent the institution as part of the INBRE program and provide effective communication with other program entities. This individual will interact with the faculty research investigators to assist in the development of their research programs. The liaison will interact with mentors and core facility directors at the institution. These interactions may involve multiple departments, and effective working relationships across department lines are expected. The individual will represent the institutions overall participation in the INBRE program during scheduled meetings of the steering committee. The liaison will identify new eligible faculty and provide information for INBRE research opportunities. The liaison will represent the needs and interests of the students from that institution in order to facilitate an increase in the number of students participating in biomedical research. The liaison will coordinate the reporting activities of the institution according to the timeline defined by the INBRE administrative core. The liaison will manage a budget that includes funds to compensate effort up to a maximum of ten percent, and travel funds to support faculty and student travel to INBRE conferences, workshops, and lecture series.
External Advisory Committee
The External Advisory Committee (EAC) is composed of individual representatives with scientific expertise in the thematic focus areas of Structure & Function of Biomolecules, Cell & Organism, Pathogens, and Bioinformatics selected by the SC. The EAC will monitor the longitudinal progress of the NM-INBRE scientific development. The EAC will meet at least twice annually, and submit a written report to the PI. The minutes from EAC meetings will be provided to agency staff upon request.
Mentors
Mentors play a significant role in faculty development as described in the mentoring agreement. These individuals can also provide a valuable resource for scientific expertise and advice for the broad network of faculty and students. Opportunities for additional interactions with mentors will be provided at the annual conference, presentations, workshops, and project/proposal review.
Research Collaborators
Research partners engaged in collaborative research with INBRE investigators without receiving program funds are considered to be valuable participants and members of the network.
Core Facility Directors
CF Directors are responsible for the operation of NM-INBRE funded core facilities, and provide information describing access, operating procedures, maintain records of usage. CF Directors provide facilities that are responsive to research needs. The CF Directors work closely with institutional liaisons for the submission of core facility reports.
Bioinformatics Working Group
The BWG consists of the Bioinformatics Core Director and staff, interested faculty and student participants, and staff from the National Center for Genome Resources (NCGR). The BWG Chair resides at a partner research institution and works to ensure participation of all institutions in bioinformatics research and training. The BC Director and/or BWG Chair report to the SC and EAC as requested. The bioinformatics core addresses the following service- and research-oriented objectives to help the INBRE consortium meet its stated goals: (1) develop and maintain mechanisms of communicating INBRE activities to all participants and to the general public; (2) develop, install, and support a unified statewide distributed file system for sharing data, databases and software; (3) develop, organize, and present seminars, workshops, and credit-based courses in the area of bioinformatics; (4) develop databases and tools to represent, interpret, and evaluate testable hypotheses in the thematic areas of the New Mexico INBRE consortium.
Outreach Program
Outreach Institutions include New Mexico 4-year undergraduate institutions, tribal and community colleges that are not part of the research network. The Administrative Core will conduct an outreach program involving a series of scientific lectures by research faculty, and providing travel/lodging costs for outreach students and faculty to attend scientific conferences and workshops held at NM-INBRE institutions. The outreach program will also involve efforts to develop problem-based learning, role-modeling, and related training activities to encourage increasing student participation in biomedical research.
