USC receives $7.5M for Comprehensive Center of Excellence in Minor...(are now able to build a world class rese...),Health

The center will support three research projects led by Donna Spruijt-Metz, Ph.D., Christian Roberts, Ph.D., and Childrens Hospital Los Angeles Vicente Gilsanz, M.D., Ph.D., The center will also provide funding to support a central data support core headed by Kiros Berhane, Ph.D., and a new pilot study program. Lourdes Baezconde-Garbanati, Ph.D., from USCs Institute for Prevention Research will serve as the associate director of the center.

Its wonderful to see the USC community coming together to tackle childhood obesity, says Roberta Williams, M.D., professor and chair of pediatrics at the Keck School of Medicine of USC and the vice president of pediatrics and academic affairs at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, which is staffed by USC faculty physicians and researchers. The research conducted at the center will have a far reaching impact on populations that have been severely affected by this epidemic.

USC's Office of Research Advancement assisted Goran in the application process. The office maintains ties between the university's investigators and federal and philanthropic research sponsors, and assists faculty in proposal development.

"Our Washington, D.C., office aims to help faculty with major interdisciplinary proposals that target critical societal issues, such as minority health," says Randolph Hall, vice provost for research advancement.

"We're here to help our faculty do great things," says Steven Moldin, executive director of the DC office. "With this grant, Dr. Goran will not only do outstanding research, but also will help minority youth lead healthier lives."

'/>"/>