Research

Basic, translational, clinical, and epidemiologic investigations are vital activities in the Department of Medicine. In FY 2013, total grant support for department faculty exceeded $38 million, with roughly 49% coming from the National Institutes of Health, 28% from foundations, 18% from industry, and 5% from federal, state and local government sources. Over the last two years, the department has been working on strengthening its research administration and support; to facilitate this process, it established a research management office, directed by Victoria Matthews. Her staff are helping to ease the grant submission process for faculty.

The annual Carey-Marshall-Thorner Scholars and Research Day, held this year on May 1, 2013, provides an opportunity for faculty, residents and fellows to share their research, cultivate collaborative relationships, and celebrate the breadth and depth of scholarly activity in the department. Events include Grand Rounds, oral presentations by trainees and new faculty members (this year there were more than 40), a poster session open to all, and an awards ceremony and reception.

The department’s research efforts are facilitated by a number of institutional resources, including a series of core laboratories that provide a wide range of technical and analytical skills, as well as access to sophisticated instrumentation applicable to the research activities of many different investigators. The services provided by these laboratories are available to all investigators within the School of Medicine and more broadly to members of the University.

Human Investigation Committee plays a vital role in the review and oversight of all studies involving human subjects, and the University’s Animal Care and Use Committee reviews and approves protocols involving vertebrate animals, while the Institutional Biosafety Committee approves protocols involving infectious agents and laboratory safety procedures.

More detail on division-level research activities can be found in the individual division reports.