# Rio Grande Valley Cancer Health Disparity Research Center

> **NIH NIH U54** · UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS RIO GRANDE VALLEY · 2024 · $462,134

## Abstract

The Investigator Development Core (IDC) will assume a primary role in achieving the stated goals of the Center
to foster and promote excellence in health disparities and cancer research for early-stage investigators (ESI)
and assist them in achieving independence as funded researchers. The IDC will further contribute to the RGV-
CHDRC goals of enabling investigators at all levels to become more successful in obtaining competitive
extramural support with a focus on health disparities and cancer conditions disproportionately impacting the
population of the Rio Grande Valley (RGV). These communities are over 80% Hispanic and are among the
nation’s most socio-economically disadvantaged, experiencing high degrees of health disparities. Our RGV-
CHDRC and IDC core will also significantly contribute to the NIH mission of enhancing the pool of scientists from
underrepresented minorities (URM) in the biomedical sciences and cancer research. The academic
environment at UTRGV and our diverse, multidisciplinary faculty are uniquely positioned to engage our
communities on the US-Mexico border in culturally competent, measurable, and sustained innovative cancer-
related research aimed at improving health outcomes. We propose the following Specific Aims: Aim 1. To
develop Pilot and Collaborative Research Project Implementation in Health Disparities and Cancer
Research. The primary goal is to foster and promote excellence in health disparities and cancer research for
early-stage investigators (ESI) including postdoctoral fellows, junior faculty, and other ESI and assist them in
achieving independence as funded researchers. We will create a vibrant and rigorous application and
independent peer-review process and emphasize the selection of quality, transdisciplinary multi-domain, multi-
level projects involving cancer, health disparities, and social determinants of health. We will establish a rigorous
independent peer-review panel and implement a comprehensive investigator development program to support
investigators throughout the lifecycle of the research project and through transition into independence. Aim 2:
To effectively implement through the IDC scientific training, collaboration, and mentoring in Health
Disparities and Cancer Research, incorporating social determinants of health and behavioral health. We
will develop a mechanism for forming transdisciplinary research teams of junior researchers and mentors from
our campus at UTRGV, hospitals, and community. The overall impact of this IDC will provide adequate
knowledge, training, and experience for investigators to develop a successful career trajectory in health
disparities and cancer research. Specific strengths and unique aspect(s) of the IDC include 1) A multi-layered
method to support aspirant and early/mid-stage researchers across their career development; 2) Provide strong
partnerships among key divisions of UTRGV, hospitals, and healthcare communities for higher learning and
diversity; and 3) An e...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11001855
- **Project number:** 1U54MD019970-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS RIO GRANDE VALLEY
- **Principal Investigator:** IHSAN M SALLOUM
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $462,134
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-08-18 → 2029-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11001855

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11001855, Rio Grande Valley Cancer Health Disparity Research Center (1U54MD019970-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11001855. Licensed CC0.

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