Improving Research Capacity to Impact Heart Health, Healthy Minds & Cancer

Growing the capacity of MCW investigators to impact health outcomes statewide

Full Project Name:Improving Heart Health, Supporting Healthy Minds & Dismantling CancerPrincipal Investigator:Ann B. Nattinger, MD, MPH, Office of ResearchAward Amount:$5,000,000

Award Date

May2019

Project Duration:72 months

Project Summary:

To address critical, statewide health needs in the areas of cardiovascular health, brain and mental health, and cancer, the Medical College of Wisconsin Office of Research must have the capacity and capabilities to support MCW faculty and research staff in their work to bring scientific discoveries that can benefit the health of Wisconsin residents from the bench to the bedside.

Through this award, the MCW Office of Research will enhance MCW investigators' abilities to engage in research around AHW focus areas through the devleopment of pilot grants to support investigative teams in early-stage research and preliminary data discovery, enhance research productivity, and build capacity for the development of drugs, devices, and clinical trials that can impact health statewide.

Outcomes & Lessons Learned:

Funded 40 subprojects to promote research through purchases of critical equipment, obtaining preliminary data to strengthen extramural resubmissions, and forming team science initiatives to increase MCW's research capacity, resulting in 31 of 34 funded faculty receiving external awards to advance their efforts
Educated research teams and provided support in the design and execution of safe, effective, and high-quality clinical trials, including through two presentations to MCW faculty
Served as a navigator and subject matter expert for MCW investigators working in the early phase of drug or device development, including new investigational new drugs (INDs) submitted to the FDA
Increased capacity of the Bioengineering Service Center, including over 190 3D print jobs and over 700 printed parts to enhance MCW research efforts that supported MCW clinical, translational, and basic science investigators