BCM, UH awarded $44.2 million grant to create regional hub for translational research

Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) 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 to create a regional hub to serve as a support for infrastructure, services, community engagement and workforce development to advance research and drive innovation in clinical translational science.

This new hub is called the Consortium for Translational and Precision Health (CTPH) and builds on the strong partnership between UH and BCM along with the clinical and research groups within the Texas Medical Center that collaborate with these two institutions. It draws on strengths from both institutions in basic science, translational research, health services, pharmaceutical sciences as well as entrepreneurship to develop and disseminate innovations. The CTPH also will connect investigators with community healthcare organizations and government agencies that contribute to healthcare, clinical research and policy in the region. 

“This transformational grant for clinical research, led by Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Houston, 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.”

The leaders of the CTPH are Dr. Christopher Amos, professor and director of the Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (ICTR) at BCM, Dr. Fasiha Kanwal, professor of medicine and chief of the section of gastroenterology and hepatology at BCM, and Dr. Bettina M. Beech, clinical professor of population health and the chief population health officer at UH. 

“The CTPH is a partnership that draws on strengths of both institutions, creating a rich multidisciplinary environment. It will act as the vehicle to enhance the infrastructure and resources needed to effectively conduct research and implement solutions to advance healthcare,” said Dr. Carolyn Smith, interim senior vice president and dean of research at BCM. “It will help implement and create ongoing core research activities that will support the clinical translational science at both institutions.” 

The hub will provide funding for pilot projects and support the groundwork needed for ongoing research. For example, a researcher developing a clinical study might need help with community outreach and engagement, additional study design planning, or access to clinical data. The CTPH will provide resources and services to accelerate the pace of research from discovery to population level impact. 

The foundational platform for the CTPH has been laid out in part by the work of Amos’ group at ICTR, which is a group that supports clinical and translational research within BCM. 

In addition to UH’s Population Health program and Division of Research, the CTPH will draw on expertise from 10 UH colleges, including the Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, Andy & Barbara Gessner College of Nursing, College of Pharmacy, College of Optometry, C.T. Bauer College of Business, Cullen College of Engineering, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, College of Education, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences and the Honors College.

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

Currently, more than 60 leading medical institutions across the nation receive CTSA Program funding. The institutions offer expertise, resources and partnerships at the national and local levels to improve the health of individuals and communities. The CTSA Program also nurtures the field of translational science through education, training and career support at all levels.