NIH NCRR - IDeA Program Purpose: to expand biomedical research infrastructure in Arkansas

A multidisciplinary research network with a thematic scientific focus Cancer and Signaling Mechanisms Cancer and Signaling Mechanisms Director: Robert E. McGehee Two Research Focus Groups Neuroscience Directors: Paul D. Drew & Robert D. Skinner Cellular Signaling, Growth, and Differentiation

Promote networking among project leaders (PLs), their students and mentors through Research Focus Groups Neuroscience Cancer and Signaling Mechanisms Help monitor the PLs’ progress in becoming competitive for extramural research funding through Mentoring Advisory Committee annual reports 1. review progress of PLs via annual reports 2. provide recommendations on continued support to Steering & External Advisory Committees Mentoring Core Objectives

Meet regularlyMeet regularly (3x/year) to promote informal, “friendly” critique of ongoing research activities in PLs’ labs meetings hosted by local PL(s) (Mentoring Core budget) Research Focus Groups overview of progress PLs required to present once a year overview of progress on research projects (informal seminar/lab meeting format) Seminar Series Seminar Series - to encourage formation of outside contacts (potential grant reviewers, editorial board members) 3 seminar speakers budgeted per Research Focus Group per year

Project Leaders, their Mentors, and Research Projects Research Focus: Neuroscience The effect of c-Myc expression on the activation of the gastrin promoter Frank A. Simmen, PhDPatricia Marks, PhD Translational regulation during Xenopus oocyte development Angus MacNicol, PhDRobert Gregerson, PhD p107 function in 3T3-L1 differentiationRobert E. McGehee, Jr., PhDTimothy Hayes, PhD Signaling by non-classical ligands of estrogen receptor: novel approaches to detection and mechanism Stavros C. Manolagas, MD Barry Gehm, PhD Investigation of thermal effects in photodynamic therapy to treat solid tumors Vladimir P. Zharov, PhDPradip Bandyopadhyay, PhD Research Focus: Cancer and Signaling Mechanisms Cholinergic mechanisms in neuronal regeneration Fang Zheng, PhD; Kevin Phelan, PhD Malathi Srivatsan, PhD Assessment of drug uptake and permeability properties of novel anticancer agents in the brain Steve W. Barger, PhDAntonie Rice, PhD Effects of adverse perinatal experiences on cortical organization Kanwaljeet S. Anand, MDBarbara Clancy, PhD Effects of nicotine on processes mediated by the reticular activating system Edgar Garcia-Rill, PhD; Robert D. Skinner, PhD; Bill Gurley, PhD Roger Buchanan, PhD

Project Leaders, their Mentors, & Research Projects cont. Research Focus: Neuroscience & Cancer and Signaling Mechanisms The role of bone morphogenetic proteins in nociceptive neuron development Patricia A. Wight, PhDRichard Murray, PhD Molecular mechanisms contributing to gender disparity in multiple sclerosis Paul D. Drew, PhDLori Hensley, PhD Transcriptional regulation of the myelin proteolipid protein gene: Effect of intron 1- binding factors on chromatin remodeling during oligodendrocyte differentiation Patricia A. Wight, PhD; John Majors, PhD Brian Greuel, PhD

Mentoring Advisory Committee Dennis A. BaeyensDennis A. Baeyens, Ph.D., Professor, Dept. of Biology, UALR Gwen V. ChildsGwen V. Childs, Ph.D., Professor & Chair, Dept. of Neurobiology & Developmental Sciences, UAMS Robert J. Shmookler-ReisRobert J. Shmookler-Reis, D.Phil., Professor, Depts. of Geriatrics, Medicine, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, and Pharmacology & Toxicology, UAMS Michael S. OwensMichael S. Owens, Ph.D., Professor, Dept. of Pharmacology & Toxicology, UAMS Rose Marie McConnellRose Marie McConnell, Ph.D., Professor, Dept. of Chemistry, UA Monticello, Thomas E. GoodwinThomas E. Goodwin, Ph.D., Professor, Dept. of Chemistry, Hendrix College

MAC’S ROLE annually annual progress reportsMeets as a study section annually to review annual progress reports from the 14 UGI PLs short report on each PLPrepares short report on each PL to the Steering Committee, External Advisory Committee, and INBRE PI (to advise on the continued support and retention of PLs)

 Feb – Yr. 1 report (after ~9 mos.)  Feb – Yr. 2 report (warning?)  Aug – Update on improvement  May 2008 – Replacement? (reviewed by P.I., Steering & EA Com. Review of Annual Reports

Mentoring Plans of PLs Research Mentor; Institutional Mentor; Annual Reports mentor & PL/mentee develop timeline (informally record meetings) Commitments of UGI PLs as Mentees research time protected & guaranteed by each UGI administration to commit 50% effort to research activities meet one-on-one with Research Mentors (1-2X/month) attend 3 meetings per year of Research Focus Group and present 1X/year mentor own students meet with Institutional Mentor (3X/year) submit Annual Report to INBRE MAC

Roles of Research Mentors help PL/mentee establish professional contacts host the mentee at mentor’s lab meetings (1X/month) make techniques & equipment from own laboratory available to the PL help PL develop timelines for manuscript, grant proposal submission, & help the PL keep on target in the accomplishment of the specific aims of project visit PL’s laboratory annually to give research seminar at PL’s UGI & interact with students attend the specific Research Focus Group meetings (when PL presents) meet with his/her mentee (at least quarterly) to discuss PL’s research progress

Mentoring Core Budget ~$18,000:  $9,000 for Seminar Speakers  $9,000 for Travel  $6,000 for Seminar Speakers’ travel  $3,000 for Mentors’ and MAC travel