Strategic Infrastructure for Research Committee

Specific research projects or investigators will not be funded. Applications that provide service or shared resources to a limited pool of investigators are not likely to be successful. Proposed Core Services should be novel and not duplicative of existing services elsewhere on campus unless additional need is well justified. Requests for equipment upgrades/replacement from existing Cores are discouraged unless all other potential sources of funding have been exhausted.

• Letter of Intent (LOI)
  The application process should begin with a 1- to 2-page letter to the Dean describing the proposed infrastructure project and the expected cost to the AEF. (See details below.) The letter should reach the Dean as soon as possible to allow for a timely response. If the proposed infrastructure is judged potentially appropriate for AEF support, the investigator will be advised to submit a formal application. The SIRC’s review will then be used to advise the Dean’s decision.

Application

The review process will consist of a constructive analysis of strengths, weaknesses, and potential importance to the SOM’s research endeavor, based on consideration of specific criteria (see How do I apply? Application for additional details). Participation in/utilization of the proposed research support initiative/facility should be open to all qualified Medical School faculty, and a plan for education and active recruitment of members from multiple departments should be included. Participation by faculty members from other UCD schools is encouraged.

For equipment costing over $200K, the SIRC will consider AEF matching funds for an NIH or NSF application for a Shared Instrument Grant (SIG). Thus, potential applicants for support of new or replacement core equipment must plan well ahead. Exceptions to this requirement may be considered if applications include a pledge of matching funds equivalent to one-third the cost of the equipment and description of a compelling reason for not applying for a SIG.

SIRC Funding may be allocated for 1, 2 or 3 years. 

The committee also requires that following use of the (instrument/facility), a progress report be submitted after two years (or after each year of subsequent funding) to Peter Buttrick, providing the following information: The number and frequency of users, Publications and Grants applied for, or awarded, related to this technology. 

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Member 2023-2024

• Lisa Brenner, PhD – Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Psychiatry and Neurology
• Chris Gignoux, PhD – Biomedical Informatics
• Laurel Lenz, PhD – Immunology and Microbiology
• Eric Pietras, PhD – Hematology
• Huntington Potter, PhD – Neurology
• Olivia Rissland, PhD – Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics
• Rebecca Schweppe, PhD – Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes
• Natalia Vergara, PhD – Ophthalmology
• Cristin Welle, PhD – Physiology and Biophysics (Chair)

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• Peter Buttrick – Medicine/Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
• Vanessa Valesquez – Dean’s Office