What is METRICS?
The MEchanick Transculturalization Research and Innovation ConSortium (METRICS) is a decentralized, international research network to reduce the global burden of cardiometabolic-based chronic disease (CMBCD).
Our Mission
To address global gaps in research and practice that limit personalized care for diverse and vulnerable populations.
We achieve this through a dual mandate:
Sustainable Capacity Building:
Through our «train-the-trainer» paradigm, we nurture, empower, and champion the next generation of underrepresented, early-career physician-scientists and medical students, transforming them into independent research leaders directly within their home communities.
Advanced Transcultural Research:
We leverage advanced analytics to uncover how the biology of adversity, combined with genetic, environmental, behavioral, and structural factors, drives chronic metabolic disease.
Our Vision
To redefine global health research through equity, mentorship, and adaptive innovation.
METRICS envisions bias-free, transcultural health technologies and AI adaptable to any population worldwide
What We Study
Transculturalization & SDOH:
Investigating how cultural variations, migration, lifestyle, and social/structural determinants of health (SDOH) alter the expression of chronic diseases.
Advanced Analytics & Precision Medicine:
Utilizing tools like Bayesian network modeling, Clinical NLP, and big data to eliminate ethnocentric bias in risk prediction algorithms.
The CMBCD Framework:
Validating and implementing the Cardiometabolic-Based Chronic Disease model to shift care from late-stage intervention to early, culturally specific lifestyle and metabolic optimization.
METRICS STATEMENTS
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
We respect and interpret diversity, equity, and inclusion for all people as an advantage in our efforts to promote transcultural adaptations of healthcare and fulfill our mission. This not only applies to the care of our patients but also to how we interact with our colleagues and partners.
Policy statement on publications and Predatory journals
At METRICS, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of EXCELLENCE in research AND COMMUNICATION TOWARD our mission of improving cardiometabolic health in diverse populations everywhere. As such, all our members are encouraged to report their research findings to peer-reviewed journals that follow the ICJME guidelines and are recognized for their Scientific credibility. By adhering to this practice, we ensure that our research and reporting are RIGOROUS and TRUSTWORTHY by colleagues in the global health community, thereby meaningfully contributing to the scientific knowledge BASE and upholding our commitment to ADVANCING GLOBAL CARDIOMETABOLIC HEALTH with the highest standards of quality, integrity, and impactful dissemination.
We encourage METRICS members to evaluate if the journal that they are planning to submit is indexed by MEDLINE/PubMed, and if the journal is open access, check if it is listed in the Directory of Open Access Journals.
Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Research
We encourage our members to:
Adopt a critical approach when using generative AI, continuously learning responsible usage to achieve and maintain AI literacy.
Refrain from listing generative AI as an author, as it cannot assume responsibility or accountability for submitted work.
Ensure the appropriateness and accuracy of AI-generated outputs, acknowledging their potential for inaccuracies or biases.
Avoid using generative AI to analyze or formulate peer review critiques, following the «Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence Technologies is Prohibited for the NIH Peer Review Process» (Link).
Use AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini to assist in coding tasks (e.g., identifying errors, creating functions) and in enhancing article writing by improving grammar, conciseness, and clarity, ensuring AI is used responsibly, and outputs are critically evaluated while maintaining that the core content and authorship remain human-driven.