Baylor College of Medicine receives $44.2 million grant for translational research

Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Houston have been awarded a $44.2 million Clinical and Translational Science Award Program grant from the National Center for Advancing Translational Research. The funding will establish a regional hub to support infrastructure, services, community engagement, and workforce development aimed at advancing research and driving innovation in clinical translational science.

The newly established Consortium for Translational and Precision Health (CTPH) builds on the partnership between Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), the University of Houston (UH), and other clinical and research groups within the Texas Medical Center. This collaboration aims to foster innovation in areas such as basic science, health services, pharmaceutical sciences, and entrepreneurship.

“This transformational grant for clinical research, led by Baylor and UH, will advance care for patients in Houston and beyond,” said Dr. Paul Klotman, president, CEO, and executive dean of BCM. “It will accelerate the transfer of new technologies to patient care.”

“Research is the engine empowering healthcare’s life-changing advancements,” said UH President Renu Khator. “This innovative hub will be a catalyst for groundbreaking discoveries and treatments that improve people’s quality of life. That’s what drives us at UH and we’re ecstatic to cofound a regional hub for change alongside Baylor.”

Dr. Christopher Amos from BCM's Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (ICTR), Dr. Fasiha Kanwal from BCM's section of gastroenterology and hepatology, and Dr. Bettina M. Beech from UH's population health program are leading the CTPH initiative.

“The CTPH is a partnership that draws on strengths of both institutions, creating a rich multidisciplinary environment," said Dr. Carolyn Smith, interim senior vice president and dean of research at BCM. "It will act as the vehicle to enhance the infrastructure and resources needed to effectively conduct research."

The CTPH aims to connect researchers with community healthcare organizations and government agencies to create a multidisciplinary environment supporting infrastructure, services, workforce development, pilot projects funding, research initiatives acceleration from discovery to patient care impact.

In addition to UH’s Population Health program and Division of Research expertise will come from 10 UH colleges including medicine nursing pharmacy optometry engineering among others highlighting comprehensive institutional commitment improving population health outcomes.

“We are deeply committed to advancing innovation in clinical translational science this award significant step forward mission improve population health outcomes,” Beech said “This testament unwavering dedication collaborative spirit everyone involved truly team effort.”

Currently more than 60 leading medical institutions across nation receive CTSA Program funding offering expertise resources partnerships national local levels improve individual community health nurturing field translational science through education training career support all levels.