# RCMI Research Infrastructure Core

> **NIH NIH U54** · UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON · 2020 · $973,988

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
The University of Houston (UH) has approximately 400 faculty (~150 from communities
underrepresented in the health sciences) conducting health-related research. These faculty span 12
Colleges and 28 academic units. This recent environmental scan suggests (1) there is a natural wellspring
of scientists from a broad range of health disciplines that can leverage the Research Infrastructure Core (RIC)
to advance their research; and (2) there is a tremendous opportunity to engage more scientists in innovative
health-equity science that can discover novel solutions to disparities in addictions and cancer prevention
afflicting our underserved and marginalized communities in Houston and beyond. The RIC will be executed by
experienced scientists that are passionate about health-equity science. Ultimately, the proposed RCMI is
uniquely situated to aggressively launch a centralized RIC capable of actualizing four specific aims: Aim 1.
Execute a centralized research infrastructure that will enhance the scientific rigor, productivity,
and impact of addictions and cancer prevention research at UH. Plan: Deliver state-of-the-art core services in
the areas of (1) Research Methodology; (2) Laboratory Techniques and Facilities; (3) Data Management and
Biostatistics; (4) Health Informatics; and (5) Responsible Conduct of Research, Ethics, and Compliance in
health-disparities research; Aim 2. Develop an intellectual incubator that generates transdisciplinary
research teams linking investigators underrepresented in the health sciences with established investigators
at UH. Plan: Execute a comprehensive marketing plan that targets and encourages University leadership,
faculty, and postdoctoral fellows to leverage RIC services to advance their science while taking the opportunity
to build new transdisciplinary research teams that pursue novel solutions to complex health challenges; Aim 3.
Provide dynamic core services for RCMI scientists that are cost-effective, accessible, efficient, and with
excellent customer service. Plan: Execute a user-friendly electronic ticketing and tracking system that will
monitor service utilization and satisfaction in real-time, while also informing the data-driven redistribution of
resources to maximize end-user needs and demonstrate a substantial return-on-investment; Aim 4. Pursue
collaborations that minimize University duplication of resources and build bridges with local and national
exemplars. Plan: Work with the Directors of the local and national exemplars to engage in a shared vision that
advances health-equity science. Ultimately, large-scale innovative research that has strong scientific rigor,
transparency, and reproducibility cannot be fully actualized without an efficient state-of-the-art research
infrastructure.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10151015
- **Project number:** 1U54MD015946-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON
- **Principal Investigator:** Fatima Aziz Merchant
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $973,988
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-09-08 → 2025-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10151015

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10151015, RCMI Research Infrastructure Core (1U54MD015946-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10151015. Licensed CC0.

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