Project Summary – Core A This Phase II Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) proposal will sustain and enhance an interdisciplinary research Center within the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) focused on fundamental molecular and cellular signal transduction mechanisms in the cardiovascular system. Core A, the Administrative and Faculty Development Core, is described here. Core A will manage the COBRE’s administrative, fiscal, and scientific activities. Core A will be directed by Dr. Scott Earley, Professor of Pharmacology, the Principal Investigator and COBRE Director. Dr. Earley is an accomplished investigator with an established track record of NIH funding, publication in high-quality journals, and committed to mentoring young scientists. The following goals have been established for Core A during Phase II: 1) Provide scientific leadership and develop an administrative structure for the Center; 2) Execute an aggressive Faculty Development Plan to provide personalized, one-on-one mentoring for the COBRE’s Research Project Leaders (RPLs). The Faculty Development Plan is designed to transition the RPLs from early career investigator status to fully independent research scientists funded by their own Research Project Grants (RPGs), such as an NIH R01 or equivalent; 3) Select and recruit new RPLs to replace those who graduate; 4) Establish an effective Pilot Projects Program to fund the development of new research projects; 5) Establish and coordinate an effective Advisory Committee; 6) Plan for the long-term sustainability of our Center; and 7) Implement a formative and summative evaluation strategy for the COBRE, the RPLs, and the Research Cores with specific milestones. Completing these goals will sustain and enhance the Nevada COBRE in Molecular and Cellular Signal Transduction in the Cardiovascular System as an internationally recognized, sustainable multidisciplinary research Center investigating the regulation of cardiovascular function during health and disease.