IDDRC Administrative Core | UC Davis MIND Institute

The MIND Institute IDDRC is the focal point for research on intellectual and developmental disabilities at UC Davis. The research of IDDRC investigators focuses on the themes of biobehavioral characterization of intellectual and developmental disabilities, identification of genetic and environmental risk factors for intellectual and developmental disabilities, and development of behavioral and biomedical treatments of intellectual and developmental disabilities. These themes are addressed with respect to a number of intellectual and developmental disabilities conditions, including autism, fragile X syndrome and other FMR1-related conditions, Down syndrome, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Angelman syndrome, and 22q11.2 Deletion syndrome, and across the lifespan from conception through adulthood. The Administrative Core provides the leadership, resources, and support to ensure scientific innovation while accelerating the translation of scientific discoveries into meaningful changes in quality of life for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. The specific aims of the Administrative Core are:

• Support the development and implementation of an impactful, interdisciplinary, translational research agenda for intellectual and developmental disabilities research. This aim is addressed by creating an interdisciplinary leadership team; establishing mechanisms to solicit input from IDDRC investigators, local and national networks, and the broader scientific community; monitoring progress of IDDRC research, including the research project proposed in this application; and creating “centerness” (i.e., a culture of interdisciplinary collaboration and team science).
• Develop and maintain a robust research infrastructure to support the translational research agenda of the IDDRC. This aim is addressed by developing equitable and efficient procedures for accessing the scientific cores, securing resources to support and enhance the scientific cores; establishing procedures to ensure that the IDDRC provides high-need, cost-effective, high-quality core services; and facilitating access to expertise and technologies beyond the IDDRC.
• Encourage innovation in intellectual and developmental disabilities research. This aim is addressed by encouraging new programs of research and new methods in the scientific cores; recruiting new investigators into the IDDRC; and supporting a broad array of educational activities that leverage the unique expertise and resources of the IDDRC and target scientists at all points in their careers.
• Disseminate scientific findings to the community. This aim is addressed by translating IDDRC research findings into forms useable by the broader community of professionals, policy makers, families, and self-advocates through brief reports, webinars, community presentations, and social media events and communications.

IDDRC Research Project Application Form

Eligibility criteria for IDDRC approval: The project must be extramurally funded and peer reviewed, in addition to being relevant to the IDDRC mission. The MIND Institute IDDRC mission is focused on three themes: Biobehavioral Characterization of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Environmental and Genetic Contributions to Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, and Treatments for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. In addition, the project should have a need for one or more of the IDDRC core services. Please note the extramural funding cannot be from a for-profit entity.

Project applications are reviewed by the IDDRC Executive Committee on a monthly basis starting on the 1st of the month. Investigators are notified of the status of their project applications by the 15th of the month. For questions, please contact Michele Ono, Project Manager myono@ucdavis.edu

The following staff members are responsible for the activities of the Administrative Core.

Leonard Abbeduto,  IDDRC Director

Melissa Bauman,  IDDRC Associate Director

Judy A. Van de Water,  IDDRC Associate Director

Christine Wu Nordahl,  Director of Scientific Dissemination

Michele Ono, Chief Administrative Officer,  IDDRC Assistant Director of Finance and Operations

Patrick Hugunin, Video Production/Website Development