# Center of Research on Obesity and Cardiovascular Disease

> **NIH NIH P30** · UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY · 2022 · $1,147,500

## Abstract

Phase III of the Center for Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) on Obesity and Cardiovascular
Diseases (COCVD) will further develop and expand upon obesity as an underlying risk factor for the
development of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Each of
these diseases are rampant in Kentucky, and obesity has been identified as a contributing risk factor for each
condition. For Phase III of the COCVD, we will transition the research core facilities developed during Phase I
and II of this program to independence. We will also support pilot project studies that include obesity as a risk
factor for disease development. We have experienced considerable success, having supported 23 junior
investigators and 21 pilot project investigators who generated $52 million in extramural funding and published
more than 500 scholarly publications. Collectively, our team has published more than 280 scholarly articles
that directly cite COCVD support. We developed an analytical core that provides services in lipidomics and
other small molecules, a pathology core that provides specialized services to quantify adipose and other tissue
morphology, and an energy balance and body composition core that is not duplicated in capacity across the
institution or the Commonwealth. During Phase III of the COCVD, we will transition each core to self-
sustaining capacity and upgrade core equipment and use by continuing to provide high quality specialized
services, and by expanding core capabilities through provision of additional services that relate obesity to other
diseases (e.g., cancer). Transition to independence of COCVD cores will be facilitated by use of a voucher
system to promote core use. We will also continue our strong tradition of pilot project funding, which will be
expanded to include studies that focus on obesity as an underlying risk factor for not only cardiovascular
diseases, but also type 2 diabetes, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. These areas have been
designated as areas of strength across the institution (as each disease is a health disparity experienced by
Kentuckians), and are designated for growth within a new research facility that will focus on Kentucky's health
disparities. The Administrative Core will oversee all administrative functions of the COCVD and in conjunction
with the Program Coordinator and the Scientific Internal Advisory Committee will serve as the operational limb
of the Center. An External Advisory Committee, composed of experts in related fields, will provide ongoing
assessment and evaluation of the Center. Institutional commitment continues to be outstanding and is
supplemented by strong evidence of programmatic growth of direct relevance to this Phase III COCVD.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10458562
- **Project number:** 5P30GM127211-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
- **Principal Investigator:** Lisa A Cassis
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $1,147,500
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-08-01 → 2025-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10458562

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10458562, Center of Research on Obesity and Cardiovascular Disease (5P30GM127211-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10458562. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*