How cy pres promotes transdisciplinary convergence science: an academic health center for women's cardiovascular and brain health

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is largely preventable, and the leading cause of death for men and women. Though women have increased life expectancy compared to men, there are marked sex disparities in prevalence and risk of CVD-associated mortality and dementia. Yet, the basis for these and female-male differences is not completely understood. It is increasingly recognized that heart and brain health represent a lifetime of exposures to shared risk factors (including obesity, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and hypertension) that compromise cerebrovascular health. We describe the process and resources for establishing a new research Center for Women's Cardiovascular and Brain Health at the University of California, Davis as a model for: (1) use of the cy pres principle for funding science to improve health; (2) transdisciplinary collaboration to leapfrog progress in a convergence science approach that acknowledges and addresses social determinants of health; and (3) training the next generation of diverse researchers. This may serve as a blueprint for future Centers in academic health institutions, as the cy pres mechanism for funding research is a unique mechanism to leverage residual legal settlement funds to catalyze the pace of scientific discovery, maximize innovation, and promote health equity in addressing society's most vexing health problems.

Keywords: Cy pres funding mechanism; UC Davis Women’s Cardiovascular and Brain Health research center; basic science and animal modeling; behavioral science; convergence research; implementation science; neuropathology; transdisciplinary team.

Figure 1.

Convergence science themes and social determinants of health components of the UC Davis Center for Women’s Cardiovascular and Brain Health: basic science, neuropathology, and behavioral science cores.

Figure 2.

Transdisciplinary science framework: a holistic research approach that crosses disciplinary boundaries.

Figure 3.

Examples of ongoing convergence science research activities of the cores of the University of California, Davis Center for Women’s Cardiovascular and Brain Health.