Dr. James Perkins, RTRN Co-Principal Investigator & DCC Director

Dr. James Perkins currently serves as Co-Principal Investigator of the RCMI Translational Research Network (RTRN), a national network of minority biomedical and clinical research centers, medical colleges and universities conducting multi-site, translational research to address health disparities in minority and underserved communities and as the Director of the RTRN Data Technology Coordinating Center, a highly-advanced, state-of-the-art facility responsible for centralizing data resulting from the network’s collaborative research initiatives. Dr. Perkins’ multifaceted career consists of more than 30 years of progressive experience in academics, scientific research, business development and corporate management. His expertise covers an array of areas including fundraising and academic and corporate research administration.

During his tenure at Jackson State University (JSU), Dr. Perkins has held several positions including Professor of Chemistry, Department Head of the Chemistry Department, Division Chair of Natural Sciences and Founding Dean of the JSU School of Science and Technology. He is currently the Associate Dean of Research and Corporate Relations for the College of Science, Engineering and Technology at JSU.

Data Coordinating Center for the Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) Translational Research Network (RTRN). RTRN is a cooperative research network that facilitates translational research in health disparity areas.

Dr. David Easa, RTRN Co-Principal Investigator

David Easa, M.D. has been a driving force in the evolution of John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) for nearly 30 years. In addition to directing the CRC, Dr. Easa is a professor of pediatrics and OB/GYN. As Director of Clinical Research in the Office of the Dean, Dr. Easa has comprehensive administrative and organizational oversight, as well as mentoring responsibilities. In this role, while working tirelessly to foster collaborative relationships, consolidate resources and increasing the quantity and quality of meritorious research projects throughout the state, he established the office of grants development and the division of research support services. An active clinician, Dr. Easa played a pivotal role in creating the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Kapi’olani Medical Center for Women and Children (KMCWC) and served as its director for 23 years. He established the Neonatal/Prenatal Medicine Fellowship, and has mentored and supervised numerous fellows and junior faculty members throughout his career. Dr. Easa was also instrumental in providing the rationale and in the set-up and organization of the Kapi’olani Health Research Institute, which is now focused on industry-sponsored research studies related to women and children. He assumed the role of program director for the CRC in 1995, and obtained a renewal in both 2000 and 2005. He is currently supported by four extramural grants, including the CRC, CCRE, and Masters and PhD in Clinical Research programs.

Dr. Easa serves on the RTRN Steering Committee to guide development of the Network, as well as foster intra- and inter-institutional collaborations. He oversees protocol review process and all human subjects regulatory activities. His extensive experience in administration, education and training, and clinical research is instrumental to the successful development and implementation of the RTRN. Dr. Easa, like Dr. Norris, is one of the original CRC directors, showing leadership and maintaining an ongoing working relationship with the other CRCs which, in turn, have led him to a greater understanding of the CRC environments.

The rationale for having a co-PI stems from the extensive effort required to implement and manage a national network. The network's activities cannot be orchestrated exclusively by one individual, considering the roles and responsibilities of the CRCs program directors. Dr. Easa will be instrumental in working with not only program directors at each of the sites, but also with the centers’ investigators in educating them on benefits RTRN has to offer and facilitating their participation. Dr. Easa’s experience as an original CRC director, as well as his experience working with Dr. Norris in a collaborative fashion over the last 10 years, distinguishes him as an excellent candidate for this position.