Administrative Core (AC)
The Administrative Core (AC) serves as the cornerstone of the BBRC, offering essential support and fostering communication among faculty members engaged in Health Disparities research. Its responsibilities span administrative oversight, fiscal, contractual, and regulatory matters, as well as facilitating interactions with external entities such as the External Advisory Committee (EAC) and the RCMI Coordinating Core (RCMI-CC). Moreover, the AC actively cultivates intra- and inter-institutional collaborations, resource sharing, mentoring, faculty recruitment and retention, and professional development, demonstrating a commitment to sustaining a vibrant research environment. Importantly, over the years, the BBRC AC has developed the tools and experience to ensure the proper management and operation of the Center.
Organization and Duties of the Administrative Core (AC)
The AC is responsible for the overall management and coordination of the Center. It provides governance and operational management functions to facilitate the establishment and functioning of the cores and the successful execution of the research projects.
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Contact Principal Investigator & Program Director – Dr. Robert A. Kirken, Dean of the College of Science and Professor of Biological Sciences, will continue in his role of Principal Investigator and Program Director. With leadership responsibilities dating back to 2005, he will serve as the contact PI, collaborate with advisory committees, UTEP leadership, and NIMHD staff to ensure grant objectives are met. Dr. Kirken will oversee the cores, including the Administrative Core, and will continue actively participating in RCMI committees and related activities. Dr. Kirken will act as the direct supervisor for the AC staff. He will closely collaborate with Dr. Kenney to handle problems that arise, as well as develop new strategies to position the BBRC to better address regional health disparities affecting the Hispanic population. |
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Principal Investigator & Program Director – Dr. Michael J. Kenney, Professor of Biological Sciences and Executive Director for Strategic Initiatives, will also take on the role of Principal Investigator. Dr. Kenney has nearly 30 years of continuous NIH funding and eight years of experience at the BBRC. He has played a key role planning and executing research development strategies for both the College of Science and the institution as a whole. During the last funding cycle (2019-2024), Dr. Kenney served as Recruitment Core Lead and Cores Deputy Director. Taking on the role of PI/PD, Dr. Kenney will be responsible for the oversight of the research projects, advising and mentoring the research teams. Dr. Kenney will also ensure that the programs synergize in matters related to faculty development and resources, and will ensure that newly recruited faculty have access to- and knowledge of the appropriate institutional resources. |
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The BBRC Business Manager, Jocelyn Maese, manages the budgetary aspects of the program and track progress of deliverables such as publications, presentations, patents and grants.be responsible for budgetary and financial oversight, financial reporting and all other day-to-day business-related activities: processing purchases, tracking orders, reimbursements, etc. She will also track the revenue of recharge centers (fee-for-service core facilities in the RCC and periodically make sure that project and core leads, as well as pilot project PIs are aware of account balances. |
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The BBRC Program Manager, Zacnite Garcia, oversees the day-to-day administrative duties of the BBRC and will provide support to the cores and the projects. Her duties will include event planning and coordination, including meetings, as well as communication with the NIH, the UTEP Office of Research and Innovation (R&I), EAC and external partners. She will be responsible for gathering and providing data to the evaluators as well as the preparation of annual and final reports for the NIH. She will also maintain periodic communication with BBRC investigators and staff to ensure that milestones are being met, everyone is following Center procedures and adhering to appropriate compliance requirements. |
