The administrative core facilitates and coordinates the research and training objectives of the COCVD at the University of Kentucky. Under the direction of Lisa Cassis, PhD, vice president for research and professor, department of pharmacology and nutritional sciences, the administrative core provides the necessary organizational and administrative structure to ensure that the junior investigators affiliated with the COCVD operate in an environment that enhances their ability to successfully compete for independent R01-type research funding. The administrative core provides overall administrative leadership and coordination of research efforts, including the hiring of new faculty to increase the critical mass of investigators conducting research on obesity and cardiovascular disease. The administrative core provides support for fiscal grant accounting and grant writing, and preparation of progress reports and organizes all COCVD meetings, including those of the oversight committee, internal advisory committee, and retreats.

Additional Responsibilities

• Oversees pilot project funding for new research projects related to obesity and cardiovascular disease.
• Sponsors and supports research career development and training opportunities.
• Constructs and oversees a website dedicated to the program.
• Obtains and organizes data for assessment of the COCVD.
• Provides statistical consultation to assure appropriate analysis of all generated data.

Administrative Core Personnel