ABOUT US

What is DISCOVER?

Development of Investigators Supporting Community Outreach and Value of Engagement in 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), will establish the organizational infrastructure to train and support early-career investigators to conduct community-engaged, multilevel health research aiming at improving outcomes in cancer, stroke, and maternal health among residents in the Washington DC area.

Our Mission

Empower

Empowering Investigators: We provide mentorship, funding, and structured training for early-career researchers dedicated to conducting research related to differential health outcomes.

Engage

Engaging Communities: The research supported by DISCOVER is community-driven, ensuring that populations that experience health differential outcomes in Washington, DC, are involved in shaping research priorities.

Transform

Transforming Health: By focusing on cancer, stroke, and maternal health, we aim to create measurable health improvements for Washington, D.C., residents who bear disproportionate health burdens.

Our Aims

AIM 1: Implement DISCOVER’s infrastructure to lead the scientific direction, strategy, and evaluation of training in research on differential health outcomes.

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 differential health outcomes in cancer, stroke, and maternal 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 outcomes 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

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

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

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

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