# Admin Core

> **NIH NIH U19** · UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI · 2020 · $178,405

## Abstract

ADMINISTRATIVE CORE: SUMMARY/ABSTRACT 
The overall objective of the proposed University of Mississippi (UM) Botanical Dietary Supplements Research 
Center (BDSRC) is to generate the necessary information that will provide the scientific rationale to optimize 
the design of future human intervention studies to evaluate the use of Spirulina-derived oral supplements in 
promoting antiviral resilience. To help achieve this goal the Administrative Core will oversee and coordinate 
research efforts among the UM BDSRC components – a Botanical Core and two research projects. The 
Program Director and leader of the Administrative Core, Dr. Ikhlas Khan, is an internationally recognized 
expert in the field of natural products and brings two decades of experience successfully managing multi- 
faceted botanical research programs. Serving as Associate Director of both the UM BDSRC and the 
Administrative Core will be Dr. Nirmal Pugh. Dr. Pugh has a strong background in the biological evaluation of 
immune-enhancing botanicals, with an emphasis on Spirulina, and has well-established, collaborative 
relationships with the leader of the Botanical Core and the principal investigators of the two research projects. 
Our first aim is to implement a flexible and responsive governance structure to manage, coordinate and 
supervise all UM BDSRC activities, monitor progress through well-defined milestones, and realign UM BDSRC 
resources as needed to best meet the needs of its investigators. Expected outcomes include (1) 
commencement of monthly meetings of the Internal Steering Committee; (2) establishment of an External 
Advisory Committee; (3) compliance with policies and regulations; and (4) oversight of progress and 
establishment of clear lines of authority and responsibility within the UM BDSRC. Our second aim is to promote 
communication, collaboration, and dissemination of UM BDSRC research and findings. Expected outcomes 
include (1) development and timely updates of a website dedicated to the UM BDSRC, and (2) exploration of 
possible collaborations with other BDSRCs and CARBON components. Our third aim is to provide an 
environment suitable for training opportunities and oversee career development initiatives for post-doctoral 
fellows and graduate students. Expected outcomes include establishing competitive fellowships and 
participation in conferences/training courses within the UM BDSRC.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9916575
- **Project number:** 1U19AT010838-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI
- **Principal Investigator:** Ikhlas Ahmad Khan
- **Activity code:** U19 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $178,405
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-07-01 → 2025-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9916575

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9916575, Admin Core (1U19AT010838-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9916575. Licensed CC0.

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