# RCMI Research Infrastructure Core

> **NIH NIH U54** · UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON · 2024 · $704,713

## Abstract

The University of Houston (UH) has approximately 400 faculty in the health sciences conducting healthrelated 
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 studies that can discover novel solutions to disparities in 
addictions and cancer prevention afflicting our communities in Houston and beyond. The RIC will be executed 
by experienced scientists that are passionate about health disparity 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 in health disparity science; Aim 
2. Develop an intellectual incubator that generates transdisciplinary research teams linking early career 
and new investigators 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 disparity 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:** 10845594
- **Project number:** 5U54MD015946-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON
- **Principal Investigator:** Fatima Aziz Merchant
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $704,713
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-09-08 → 2026-10-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10845594

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10845594, RCMI Research Infrastructure Core (5U54MD015946-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10845594. Licensed CC0.

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