Administrative Core (AC)
The Administrative Core (AC) serves as the cornerstone of the BBRC, offering essential support and fostering communication among faculty members engaged in Health Disparities research. Its responsibilities span administrative oversight, fiscal, contractual, and regulatory matters, as well as facilitating interactions with external entities such as the External Advisory Committee (EAC) and the RCMI Coordinating Core (RCMI-CC). Moreover, the AC actively cultivates intra- and inter-institutional collaborations, resource sharing, mentoring, faculty recruitment and retention, and professional development, demonstrating a commitment to sustaining a vibrant research environment. Importantly, over the years, the BBRC AC has developed the tools and experience to ensure the proper management and operation of the Center.
Organization and Duties of the Administrative Core (AC)
The AC is responsible for the overall management and coordination of the Center. It provides governance and operational management functions to facilitate the establishment and functioning of the cores and the successful execution of the research projects.
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Principal Investigator & Program Director – Dr. Michael J. Kenney, Professor of Biological Sciences and Executive Director for Strategic Initiatives. Dr. Kenney has nearly 30 years of continuous NIH funding and eight years of experience at the BBRC. He has played a key role planning and executing research development strategies for both the College of Science and the institution as a whole. During the last funding cycle (2019-2024), Dr. Kenney served as Recruitment Core Lead and Cores Deputy Director. Taking on the role of PI/PD, Dr. Kenney will be responsible for the oversight of the research projects, advising and mentoring the research teams. Dr. Kenney will also ensure that the programs synergize in matters related to faculty development and resources, and will ensure that newly recruited faculty have access to- and knowledge of the appropriate institutional resources. |
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The BBRC Business Manager, Jocelyn Maese, manages the budgetary aspects of the program and track progress of deliverables such as publications, presentations, patents and grants be responsible for budgetary and financial oversight, financial reporting and all other day-to-day business-related activities: processing purchases, tracking orders, reimbursements, etc. She will also track the revenue of recharge centers (fee-for-service core facilities in the RCC and periodically make sure that project and core leads, as well as pilot project PIs are aware of account balances. |
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The BBRC Program Manager, Zacnite Garcia, oversees the day-to-day administrative duties of the BBRC and will provide support to the cores and the projects. Her duties include event planning and coordination, including meetings, as well as communication with the NIH, the UTEP Office of Research and Innovation (R&I), EAC and external partners. She is responsible for gathering and providing data to the evaluators as well as the preparation of annual and final reports for the NIH. She also maintains periodic communication with BBRC investigators and staff to ensure that milestones are being met, everyone is following Center procedures and adhering to appropriate compliance requirements. |
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Information Technology Manager Raymond Arias is responsible for creating and maintaining the BBRC website, developing print and multimedia materials for dissemination, as well as providing IT support at BBRC meetings and events. He also utilizes social media to disseminate BBRC information, key findings, and the promotion of events. This includes sending notices of RCMI events, and promoting efficient updates of faculty profiles and campus visits. Mr. Arias will also help to promote and disseminate faculty accomplishments and other media worthy events to the NIMHD and the RCMI-CC, and assist the Community Engagement Core with dissemination efforts in the community |
