For principal investigators

The cMEDA supports early stage investigators (ESI) and transitional investigators (TI)—who often have little experience or funding—in launching microbiome-related pilot projects. Our objective is to synergize and expedite the development of extramurally funded research projects by cMEDA investigators.

Current successful mentorships include:

• Jeffrey Donowitz (Peds): gut microbiome in malnourished children (ESI)
• Janina Lewis (Philips Institute): oral microbiome and periodontal disease (TI)
• Kathy Tossas (Family Med & Pop Health): HPV, the vaginal microbiome and cervical cancer (ESI)
• Stephany Sullivan (OB/GYN): the vaginal microbiome and endometrial cancer (ESI)
• Amy Salisbury (Nursing): opioids, the microbiome and addition, plus long Covid (TI)

The center will provide expert advice, protocols, primers and probes, and a small budget for sequencing costs to permit ESIs and TIs to generate preliminary results prior to submission of grant proposals. cMEDA interfaces with the Genomics and Bioinformatics Cores to provide support for these projects.

For more information, contact Dr. Myrna Serrano at 804-828-6252.