Pre-ARCs and the ARC Process
Pre-ARCs serve as intermediate phase of exploration of research themes before becoming a formal ARC. Ideas on Pre-ARC themes have been initiated by investigators as well as by the Evans Center Director. Once a pre-ARC group is assembled, the group is invited to post here a summary of missions and plans for an ARC, including names and affiliations of PIs who are interested in joining. This 1-2 page outline will provide enough information for other colleagues to consider participation in the pre-ARC, and eventually ARC (following approval of a review panel). As is the case with the pre-ARCs and ARCs posted here, the Evans Center Director will discuss such research themes, and provide insight as needed. For additional information, please contact Dr. Katya Ravid.
Pre-ARCs
pre-ARC discussions are in progress toward formation of new ARCs that will focus on areas of Biomedical Innovation and Technology, Tuberculosis, Women’s Health, Health Disparities/Health Equity, Brain Tissue & Substance Use Disorders, and Parkinson’s Disease. Please visit the web page to learn how to Join an ARC and the associated incentives.
Current Pre-ARCs
Food and Nutrition Pre-ARC: Through the lens of health equity, food justice, and community sovereignty: Olivia Thomas and Dr. Megan Sandel
(2024 to present)
Summary:
The mission and extended vision of this new Pre-ARC is to: catalyze research to promote equitable food access, systems, and policies in partnership with historically marginalized people and drive sustainable impact that safeguards local communities’ health, well-being, and prosperity.
Boston University Women’s Health Pre-ARC: Drs. Emelia J. Benjamin, Elisha M. Wachman and Joyce Y. Wong (2023 to present)
Summary:
Three sub-themes of this pre-ARC are focused on 1) addiction science, 2) reproductive biology, and 3) sex-based differences. The initial goal will be to organize monthly 1-hour 5-minute research presentations, as hybrid meetings for interested faculty, alternating between the Charles River and Medical Campuses, to foster idea sharing and collaboration. There is need for leadership from within this group in helping to plan these events and to consider next steps for an ARC application. Please visit the web post for additional information.
Bridging Basic and Clinical Science to Reduce the Harms and Consequences of Persistent or Risky Substance Use; Drs. Venetia Zachariou and Alexander Walley; Preclinical consultant, Dr. Kathleen Kantak (2022, 2024)
Summary update:
The Bridging Basic and Clinical Science to Reduce Consequences of Substance Use (Bridge-SU) pre-ARC addresses consequences of persistent and risky use of drugs and alcohol. We have recruited 47 faculty experts in the genetic, neurobiological and psycho-socio-environmental drivers of substance use who seek to discover new pathways for prevention, harm reduction, and treatment. From across this continuum, we formed four groups of researchers focused on Comorbidities and Consequences, Parent and Child Substance Exposure, Risk Behavior Genotypes and Phenotypes, and Substance Use Disorder Treatment Innovations. Objectives of the pre-ARC are to foster synergistic forward- and backward-translational collaborations among basic and clinical science substance use researchers across BUMC, VA, and CRC campuses, and to advance new collaborations with, for example, researchers from Computer and Data Sciences and the Center for Systems Neuroscience to broaden the approaches used to mitigate the individual and societal burdens of persistent and risky substance use. The pre-ARC also will partner with the BU CTSI to build community engagement capacity for substance use researchers.