Research Institute Begins to Take Shape
As a leading recipient of National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding, BWH
continues to set the pace in the scientific arena, as measured by the caliber
and number of discoveries, size and scope of its research portfolio and published
findings. Now the BWH research community is poised to form a more substantial
organization by creating the Brigham and Women’s Hospital Biomedical Research Institute (BWH-BRI).
The development of the Research Institute has evolved from an extensive strategic
research planning process. Michael Brenner, MD, chair Research Institute’s
Planning Group, indicated that the Institute’s organization will stimulate
and strengthen investigator affinity groups, emphasizing the disease relevance
of research as well as synergizing efforts involving specialized molecular techniques
or infrastructure, relevant to both bench and clinical research. New comprehensive
research centers of excellence will be developed to foster interdepartmental and
interdisciplinary research.
“The Research Institute will provide a clearer voice, stronger identity
and representation for the research community at BWH. It will also provide a structure
within which the needs and opportunities of the research community can be addressed,”
said Brenner.
Based on the input from its scientific community, new cores and research infrastructure
will emerge. Likewise, BWH-BRI will help to increase funding for research through
peer reviewed grants, industry relations and philanthropy. New web services will
improve communication and access to resources.
The main components of the BWH-BRI and will be presented at the Annual Research
Celebration, to take place on January 25 at 5 p.m. in the Bornstein Amphitheater.
At that time, more details will be communicated to the physician community.
The Research Institute Planning Group is comprised of Drs. Barbara Bierer,
Peter Black, Michael Brenner, Michael Gimbrone, Robert Handin, Thomas Kupper,
Marc Pfeffer, Joseph Bonventre, Gary Gottlieb, Ann Hurley, Dennis Kasper, Elliott
Kieff, JoAnn Manson, Jay Light, Cynthia Morton, Dennis Selkoe, Arlene Sharpe,
Steve Seltzer, Charlie Serhan, Gordon Williams, and Michael Zinner.