# Core 05: Tracking and Evaluation Core

> **NIH NIH U54** · LSU PENNINGTON BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH CTR · 2022 · $203,742

## Abstract

Project Summary: Tracking & Evaluation Core 
The Tracking and Evaluation (T&E) Core supports the LA CaTS Center’s (LA CaTS) overarching vision to 
improve health outcomes and address health disparities in Louisiana by providing evaluative assessments to 
LA CaTS leadership that facilitate data-driven decisions for shaping initiatives and directing resources that 
align with the Center’s mission and theme. Through partnerships with 11 member institutions, LA CaTS has 
established a statewide infrastructure for developing and supporting clinical and translational (CT) research in 
Louisiana. LA CaTS initiatives are developed and implemented through the efforts of LA CaTS team members 
working in 10 Cores located across the state. Since inception, LA CaTS programs have given priority to 
supporting studies and initiatives that a) focus on disease states prevalent in Louisiana including diabetes, 
obesity, cancer and cardiovascular disease and b) have potential for addressing health disparities and 
improving health outcomes in the state’s underserved populations. With the onset of COVID-19 in 2020, a 
nationwide focus was placed on health disparities and associated co-morbidities, many of which are LA CaTS 
priority disease states. This has increased the long-term importance of the LA CaTS Center’s objective for 
supporting CT research that address diseases that have disproportionately negative impacts on vulnerable and 
underserved populations. LA CaTS leadership must also ensure a) the effective use of LA CaTS Center 
resources; b) an integrated approach to strengthen capacity for cross-Core communication and collaboration; 
and c) flexibility to quickly revise or develop initiatives based on needs. For this upcoming 5-year cycle the T&E 
Core Specific Aim is to Strengthen and oversee the execution of an internal tracking and evaluation plan that 
ensures ongoing monitoring, informative interim assessments, flexibility to pivot priorities, and an annual 
evaluation at both the Core-level and Center-wide level for new and continuing initiatives. To accomplish this 
Aim, the T&E Core will use mixed methods, including relational, developmental, and utilization-focused 
approaches to collect data and develop assessments. Evaluation foci include a) assessing Center strengths, 
progress toward achieving specific aims and milestones and identifying opportunities for development; b) 
growth in CT research focused on underserved populations and health disparities; and c) assessing use, 
quality and costs of programs, resources, and services; budget management, resource allocation, program 
development or improvement, and challenges. Close attention will be given to tracking a) growth in LA CaTS 
efforts to address health disparities and improve health outcomes in Louisiana’s underserved population and b) 
Core initiatives that reflect the Center’s commitment to diversity and collaboration across member institutions 
and with CTRs and CTSAs. The T&E Core wi...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10513336
- **Project number:** 2U54GM104940-07
- **Recipient organization:** LSU PENNINGTON BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH CTR
- **Principal Investigator:** Sylvia Goldman
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $203,742
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2012-08-15 → 2027-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10513336

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10513336, Core 05: Tracking and Evaluation Core (2U54GM104940-07). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10513336. Licensed CC0.

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