The Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) translational research network: Building and sustaining capacity for multi-site basic biomedical, clinical and behavioral research

Authors

Elizabeth O. Ofili, Morehouse School of Medicine
Paul B. Tchounwou, Jackson State University
Emma Fernandez-Repollet, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus
Richard Yanagihara, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Tabia H. Akintobi, Morehouse School of Medicine
Jae E. Lee, Jackson State University
Mohamad Malouhi, Jackson State University
Solomon T. Garner, Jackson State University
Traci T. Hayes, Jackson State University
Almelida R. Baker, Morehouse School of Medicine
Andrew L. Dent, Jackson State University
Muna Abdelrahim, Jackson State University
Latrice Rollins, Morehouse School of Medicine
Sandra P. Chang, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Angela Sy, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Brenda Y. Hernandez, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Pamela L. Bullard, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Richard J. Noel, Ponce Health Sciences University
Bruce Shiramizu, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Jerris R. Hedges, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Marla J. Berry, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-1-2019

Abstract

The Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) program was established by the US Congress to support the development of biomedical research infrastructure at minority-serving institutions granting doctoral degrees in the health professions or in a health-related science. RCMI institutions also conduct research on diseases that disproportionately affect racial and ethnic minorities (ie, African Americans/Blacks, American Indians and Alaska Natives, Hispanics, Native Hawaiians and Other Pacific Islanders), those of low socioeconomic status, and rural persons. Quantitative metrics, including the numbers of doctoral science degrees granted to underrepresented students, NIH peer-reviewed research funding, peer-reviewed publications, and numbers of racial and ethnic minorities participating in sponsored research, demonstrate that RCMI grantee institutions have made substantial progress toward the intent of the Congressional legislation, as well as the NIH/NIMHD-linked goals of addressing workforce diversity and health disparities. Despite this progress, nationally, many challenges remain, including persistent disparities in research and career development awards to minority investigators. The continuing underrepresentation of minority investigators in NIH-sponsored research across multiple disease areas is of concern, in the face of unrelenting national health inequities. With the collaborative network support by the RCMI Translational Research Network (RTRN), the RCMI community is uniquely positioned to address these challenges through its community engagement and strategic partnerships with non-RCMI institutions. Funding agencies can play an important role by incentivizing such collaborations, and incorporating metrics for research funding that address underrepresented populations, workforce diversity and health equity.

Recommended Citation

Ofili, Elizabeth O.; Tchounwou, Paul B.; Fernandez-Repollet, Emma; Yanagihara, Richard; Akintobi, Tabia H.; Lee, Jae E.; Malouhi, Mohamad; Garner, Solomon T.; Hayes, Traci T.; Baker, Almelida R.; Dent, Andrew L.; Abdelrahim, Muna; Rollins, Latrice; Chang, Sandra P.; Sy, Angela; Hernandez, Brenda Y.; Bullard, Pamela L.; Noel, Richard J.; Shiramizu, Bruce; Hedges, Jerris R.; and Berry, Marla J., "The Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) translational research network: Building and sustaining capacity for multi-site basic biomedical, clinical and behavioral research" (2019). Faculty Publications. 121.
https://digitalscholarship.tsu.edu/facpubs/121