# The Investigator Development Core of SDSU HealthLINK Center for Transdisciplinary Health Disparities Research

> **NIH MD U54** · SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY · 2026 · $434,778

## Abstract

INVESTIGATOR DEVELOPMENT CORE – Project Summary
The SDSU HealthLINK Center (Center) was established in 2018 to augment investigator, partner, and
institutional capacity for minority health and health disparities (MHHD) research. The goal of the Investigator
Development Core (IDC) is to enhance the career development of junior investigators, especially those under-
represented in the sciences, to conduct innovative minority health and health disparities research at SDSU,
SDSUIV, and with community partner organizations. To accomplish this goal, we propose the following four
specific aims that build on our successful Pilot Project (PP) program: 1) support the career advancement of
junior investigators through PP funding and training; 2) foster knowledge and skills transfer between Core
Leaders and PP by supporting cross core collaboration activities; 3) support the career advancement of a
broader audience of MHHD researchers through workshops; and 4) contribute to the Center’s measures of
implementation, engagement, satisfaction, and impact. To accomplish Aim 1, IDC will fund 10 PPs following
implementation of a Grant Writing Workshop to PP applicants designed to assist them in preparing a
competitive PP application. A Research Management Training Program will be delivered to PP Leaders and is
designed to foster successful project initiation and completion. Outreach and recruitment strategies will
leverage institutional resources and connections to maximize the recruitment of junior (i.e., post-doctoral
fellows, early-stage) investigators and those under-represented in the sciences. In this process, IDC strives to
create a diverse community of basic biomedical, behavioral/population, and clinical/health services researchers
working toward the common goal of optimizing health outcomes for all people. To accomplish Aim 2, IDC will
work closely with AC, RCC, CEC and newly hired RC faculty member to optimize the transfer of knowledge
and skills by and between Cores and Pr

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11313842
- **Project number:** 5U54MD012397-08
- **Recipient organization:** SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** GUADALUPE X AYALA
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** MD
- **Fiscal year:** 2026
- **Award amount:** $434,778
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-09-11T00:00:00 → 2029-03-31T00:00:00

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11313842

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11313842, The Investigator Development Core of SDSU HealthLINK Center for Transdisciplinary Health Disparities Research (5U54MD012397-08). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-20 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11313842. Licensed CC0.

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