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Health Research (HR) Core

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Mission

To expand Idaho’s clinical and translational (C&T) health research workforce by supporting and mentoring investigators engaged in research that improves the health and well-being of Idaho communities.

Goals

The HR Core aims to:

  • Fund, supervise, and mentor recipients of Pilot and Developmental awards.
  • Increase the quantity and quality of Idaho’s externally funded health research.
  • Foster collaborative, multidisciplinary teams that address health challenges relevant to Idaho and align with current NIH priorities.

Milestones

YearMilestones
2025 – 2026Develop processes for soliciting, reviewing, and selecting grant applications. Identify (5) Pilot awardees and (1) Developmental awardee for NIH review.
2026 – 2027Fund (5) Pilot awards and (1) Developmental award. Issue call for (5) new Pilot awards. Supervise and mentor active awards.
2027 – 2028Fund (5) new Pilot awards. Issue call for (5) new Pilot awards and (1) new Developmental award. Supervise and mentor active awards. Track outcomes of completed awards (5 Pilots).
2028 – 2029Fund (5) new Pilot awards and (1) new Developmental award. Issue call for (5) new Pilot awards. Supervise and mentor active awards. Track outcomes of completed awards (10 Pilots, 1 Developmental).
2029 – 2030Fund (5) new Pilot awards. Supervise and mentor active awards. Track outcomes of completed awards (15 Pilots, 1 Developmental). Prepare and submit CTR-N grant for the next phase of the CTR program.

Major Functions

  1. Solicit, review and select awardees for pilot and developmental grants through a structured, peer-review process.
  2. Provide career and research mentoring to grant awardees, including access to senior mentors, biostatistical support, and professional development resources.
  3. Evaluate and track progress of funded investigators and the HR Core’s overall impact.

The HR Core also supports reviewer development through reviewer training and compensation and offers mentorship funding to strengthen early-career investigator success.

Contact Information

Russell Baker, PhD, DAT, ATC
Co-lead, Health Research Core | Healthy Idaho CTR-D
University of Idaho
Email: russellb@uidaho.edu

Ken Kunisaki, MD, MS
Co-Lead, Health Research Core | Healthy Idaho CTR-D
Boise VA Medical Center
Email: ken.kunisaki@va.gov