VISION

To transform and optimize cardiometabolic health for individuals from all cultures, backgrounds, ethnicities, and regions of the world through cutting-edge research, transcultural collaborations, and community-driven initiatives.

MISSION

METRICS is dedicated to addressing cardiometabolic risk globally by leveraging advanced analytics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence to acquire and analyze data from diverse ethnocultural populations. We aim to transculturalize evidence-based recommendations through robust collaborations with research institutions, healthcare organizations, and technology companies worldwide. Our mission extends to actively engaging with communities to ensure culturally sensitive approaches and to educate them about cardiometabolic health. METRICS is committed to fostering innovation, measuring the impact of our initiatives, and supporting the career development of our members, thereby enhancing the overall cardiometabolic health of people from all cultures, backgrounds, ethnicities, and regions of the world

SCIENTIFIC DOMAINS

• Public health sciences, epidemiology, and social determinants
• Precision medicine, big data, and artificial intelligence
• Transculturalization, translational, and implementation sciences
• Mental well-being and policy

STRATEGIES

Allocate resources to cutting-edge research topics
● Attract, cultivate, and retain top researchers across various academic fields
● Capacity building of the next generation of cardiometabolic researchers
● Foster an interdisciplinary and collaborative culture.
● Pursue institutional, philanthropic and other extramural funding

METRICS STORY

The MEchanick Transculturallzation Research and Innovation ConSortium (METRICS) consortium is an initiative to address cardiometabolic risk on a global platform. METRICS have a unique integration of international efforts, building capacity and creating the basis to reduce cardiovascular burden. 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.

METRICS started informally in 2010 through the collaboration between Dr. Mechanick and Dr. Nieto-Martinez, as part of the Transcultural Diabetes Nutrition Algorithm (tDNA) initiative. The first publication, which also included Dr. Marulanda, was in 2014. In 2015, Dr. González-Rivas joined the team, establishing a strong collaboration analyzing epidemiological studies from Venezuela and conducting reviews.
METRICS has been focused on capacity building. Between 2017 and 2019, in collaboration with the Venezuelan Society of Internal Medicine, the academic project «Pyramid of Researchers» was implemented.

The Pyramid of Researchers trained over 80 medical students, general doctors, nurses, and specialists. In two years, 42 conference posters at National Congresses were presented as part of this project, achieving 8 local publications.

Since June 2020, METRICS has been conducting monthly meetings, welcoming a diverse group of junior and senior researchers.

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.