The center is composed of four separate but integrated units: Leadership Administrative Core, Research Education Component, and Analysis Core.
- Leadership Administrative Core: The LAC provides rigorous scientific leadership and coordination of Center activities, stimulating synergistic cross-core communication and activities among CADC faculty, CADC Scientists, other NIA-funded Centers, and the external scientific and local communities. The LAC ensures CADC’s compliance with all reporting requirements, conducts recruitment of CADC Scientists, oversees issuance of the call for pilot study grants and review of applications, and maintains relations with the External Advisory Board.
- Research Education Component: The REC provides a structured environment and program to foster the career development of early stage investigators conducting research on aging and health disparities. The REC includes a unique health disparities and aging research education program, an individualized CADC Scientist continual mentoring program, pilot study funding for at least three pilot studies per year focused on aging related health disparities research, a strategic plan to expand the research workforce conducting aging related health disparities research, and a systematic evaluation of these research education and career development efforts.
- Analysis Core: The AnC delievers individualized training using a team-based strategy by: (a) determining each Scientist’s needs for general and specialized methods tailored to their pilot and subsequent research and (b) creating and implementing a customized training and mentoring plan to meet those needs; and develops methodological resources to promote and build capacity in utilizing optimal methods in aging related health disparities research, and disseminates them through publications and our website.