The RI-INBRE Program includes faculty from diverse disciplines, united under the general research theme of Toxicology and the Program is entitled “A Network for Molecular Toxicology in Rhode Island”. The primary participants in this Program from the University of Rhode Island are the faculty from the College of Pharmacy, College of Environment and Life Sciences, and College of Arts and Sciences. This State-wide Toxicology network also has faculty participants from Brown University Medical School, Rhode Island College, Providence College, Roger Williams University, and Salve Regina University.

This is the first time that such a coordinated effort on a program focusing on Toxicology has been undertaken in Rhode Island. Formation of the Center for Molecular Toxicology (CMT) at the University of Rhode Island has provided operational identity to this multidisciplinary, multi-institutional effort. A number of tangible benefits are envisioned to be derived from the establishment of the Center. As an administrative entity, the CMT is responsible for securing funds for, as well as staffing, maintaining, and providing access to, the State-wide Core Equipment and Bioinformatics Facilities. The Center also provides a more stable source of funding, through external grants, for recruiting and training undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and research faculty. A likely outcome of such activities would be the formulation of an interdisciplinary training program, and addressing critical biomedical technology personnel needs within the State. The mentored individual research projects, initiated under the auspices of the RI-INBRE Program and administered through the CMT, are envisioned to lead to multi-investigator intra- and inter-institutional collaborative research grants. The long-term vision for the CMT includes developing a critical mass of funded faculty for the future training grant, program grant and center grant proposals.

In keeping with the research focus areas identified in the University of Rhode Island’s 2003-2006 Strategic Plan, the CMT seeks to strengthen the Pharmaceutical Sciences research area. Furthermore, the Center compliments the activities of the Center for Biotechnology and Molecular Biosciences. Establishment of the CMT places the State of Rhode Island in a leadership position in Toxicological research in the New England region. The CMT will foster interdepartmental and intercollegiate collaborations, enhance competitiveness of its members in securing external grants, train undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and research faculty, and support the University of Rhode Island’s efforts to maintain Carnegie Research I University status. All of this will be accomplished primarily with funds generated from the outside sources, with in-kind support for faculty release time provided by the University.

As stated above, the RI-INBRE Program involves faculty from the University of Rhode Island and most of the other institutions of higher education in the State of Rhode Island that have any biomedical research inclination. When fully operational, the RI-INBRE Program will involve more than 30 faculty members from the participating institutions. This includes a number of new hires by July 2005: up to four at the University of Rhode Island, one each at Brown University and Providence College, and two each at Rhode Island College, Roger Williams University and Salve Regina University – all with research interests in toxicology. The junior faculty will be mentored in their research by more experienced scientists at the University of Rhode Island and Brown University Medical School. The Program will also provide financial support for training undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and visiting faculty at the participating institutions. Through outreach activities, students from underrepresented groups, as well as students from non-network institutions within the State of Rhode Island and visiting faculty from traditionally minority serving institutions will be recruited to increase the number of such scientists trained in biomedical sciences. As junior faculty become successful in securing their own independent research funds, they will graduate from the program and the vacated positions will be filled through new recruitments. Thus, the Program will continue to grow as it achieves its objectives.

To provide input into the Center activities from non-academic components of the State of Rhode Island, representatives from the State agencies, such as the Department of Health and the Department of Environmental Management, will be invited to join the CMT Steering Committee. Similarly, representation from the biomedical/pharmaceutical industry will also be sought. Thus, CMT is envisioned to be a State-wide resource for information, research and training in toxicology.

Administratively, the CMT director reports to the Dean of the College of Pharmacy at the University of Rhode Island who in turn reports to the University Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Involvement of the University’s upper administration is an important dimension to the overall success of the Program, given the coalition that has been forged with many of the State’s institutions of higher education. Policies and procedures for the operation of the Center will be set by a Steering Committee. The membership of the Committee includes appropriate Associate Deans for Research, Department Chairs, and other senior faculty from the participating institutions. In addition, representation from private industry and appropriate State agencies is being sought. An External Advisory Committee, consisting of nationally renowned toxicologists and other individuals with special expertise, will evaluate the activities of the CMT on a biannual basis and provide a written report to the CMT Director assessing past progress and suggesting a future course of action. It is expected, many of the existing members of the RI-INBRE committees will also serve on the CMT committees.