# Core A: Administrative and Research Translation Core (ARTC)

> **NIH NIH P42** · BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · 2021 · $160,082

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The preterm birth rate in Harris County, Houston, TX is an alarming 13.6% (national average in US is 9.6%), and
in areas surrounding Superfund sites, the preterm birth (PTB) rate is even higher (>20%). There are 15
Superfund sites in Harris County, posing a significant health risk to people living in the vicinity of these sites.
PTB often leads to many complications, including chronic lung disease, also termed bronchopulmonary dysplasia
(BPD), and some of these patients develop neurocognitive deficits later in life. One of the possible risk factors
for PTB are polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), present in contaminated soil, sediments, and water at
various Superfund sites across the US, including in the greater Houston area. The over-arching hypothesis of
the BCM-Rice Superfund Research Program (SRP) is that maternal exposure to PAHs, which are present in
Superfund sites, increases the risk of PTB and incrementally augments major morbidities such as BPD and
neurocognitive deficits. The leaders of the Administrative and Research Translation Core (AC), Drs.
Bhagavatula Moorthy (Director), Pedro Alvarez (Deputy Director), Kjersti Aagaard, and Naomi Halas (Associate
Directors) will bring their collective scientific, educational, and leadership experience to guide the Baylor-Rice
SRP and address Superfund directives. The Administrative Core (AC) acts as the center of communication
within the Center, responsible for creating an efficient organizational structure. To this end, the Core will facilitate
interdisciplinary communication, collaboration, and integration of the Center’s Research Projects and cores.
Further, the Administrative Core will explore creative ways to promote investigator-initiated research translation
(IIRT) opportunities with assistance from the Research Translation Coordinators, Dr. Mellissa Bondy, and the
co-coordinator Dr. Philip Lupo. The AC will also play a key role in the communication with various external
stakeholders, including NIEHS and EPA, as well as with community partners, in close collaboration with the
Community Engagement Core (CEC). The AC will also take an active role with the Research Experience and
Training Coordination Core (RETCC) to create a vibrant training program and foster the development of
environmental health and science professionals. The Administrative Core will ensure financial responsibility and
management of the Center as well as work with the Data Management and Analysis Core (DMAC) to ensure
responsible management of data. This will include working with the Project and Core Leaders, Office of
Research, and Departments to ensure accomplishment of the proposed aims. The AC will also collaborate with
sister SRPs as needed and will leverage support and resources so the goals of the BCM-Rice SRP are
accomplished in a timely and efficient manner and avoid duplication of efforts.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10116385
- **Project number:** 5P42ES027725-02
- **Recipient organization:** BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** BHAGAVATULA MOORTHY
- **Activity code:** P42 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $160,082
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-02-28 → 2025-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10116385

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10116385, Core A: Administrative and Research Translation Core (ARTC) (5P42ES027725-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10116385. Licensed CC0.

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