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What is DISCOVER?
What is DISCOVER?
Development of Investigators Supporting Community Outreach and Value of Engagement in health disparities Research - DISCOVER - is a five(5) year grant to create a Center of Excellence in Investigator Development and Community Engagement funded by NIH/NIMHD starting in the Fall of 2024.
This initiative, grounded at Georgetown University Medical Center (GUMC), is designed to train and support early-career investigators in community-engaged research aimed at addressing health disparities in the areas of cancer, stroke, and maternal health.
Our Mission
Our Mission
Empower
Empower
Empowering Investigators: We provide mentorship, funding, and structured training for early-career researchers dedicated to health disparities research.
Engage
Engage
Engaging Communities: The research supported by DISCOVER is community-driven, ensuring that populations that experience the worst health disparities in Washington, DC, are involved in shaping research priorities.
Transform
Transform
Transforming Health: By focusing on cancer, stroke, and maternal health, we aim to create measurable health improvements for populations affected by health disparities.
Our Aims
Our Aims
AIM 1: Implement DISCOVER’s infrastructure to lead the scientific direction, strategy, and evaluation of training in health disparities research
AIM 1: Implement DISCOVER’s infrastructure to lead the scientific direction, strategy, and evaluation of training in health disparities research
Leveraging GUMC’s current research centers and input from our Advisory Boards, we will: (1) Establish the administrative and advisory board oversight, communication, and interaction between cores, (2) Track progress in health outcomes research of early-stage investigators, and (3) Evaluate the quality and outcomes of DISCOVER’s training and community engagement activities.
AIM 2: Develop investigators to support and sustain research to address health disparities in cancer, stroke and material health
AIM 2: Develop investigators to support and sustain research to address health disparities in cancer, stroke and material health
Leveraging successful health research training curricula, we will use an innovative cohort model with coaching and interactive research development activities to: (1) Develop mechanisms for DISCOVER pilot funding, and (2) Increase investigators’ knowledge and skills in a) awareness of the multilevel factors that influence differential health outcomes, b) health research methods, and c) grant development and grant management.
AIM 3: Promote community engagement and disseminate findings in cancer, stroke, and maternal health disparities research
AIM 3: Promote community engagement and disseminate findings in cancer, stroke, and maternal health disparities research
We will: (1) Elicit community input on the pilot funding call for proposals, (2) Develop investigators’ core competencies in community engagement and results dissemination, and (3) Communicate and disseminate DISCOVER’s goals and progress to GUMC and the Washington DC area. DISCOVER will be a catalyst for early-stage investigators to conduct community-engaged health research at GUMC and in the Washington DC community.
Our Approach
Our Approach
Training Early-Career Investigators
Training Early-Career Investigators
Mentored cohort models that provide structured research guidance
Pilot funding opportunities for early-stage researchers
Professional development activities to enhance career growth
Leveraging Georgetown’s Strengths
Leveraging Georgetown’s Strengths
Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center for cutting-edge cancer research
Georgetown-Howard University's Center for Clinical and Translational Science (GHUCCTS) to support multidisciplinary research
Collaboration with NIH-funded networks such as I-REACH and StrokeNet
Building Community Partnerships
Building Community Partnerships
Direct engagement with community leaders, organizations, and policymakers
Community input in research design and implementation
Public dissemination of research findings
Collaborations Across Georgetown, MedStar & Community and Scientific Partners
Collaborations Across Georgetown, MedStar & Community and Scientific Partners
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