Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) and the University of Houston have received a $44.2 million Clinical and Translational Science Award Program grant from the National Center for Advancing Translational Research to create a regional center that will support infrastructure, services, community engagement and workforce development to advance research and foster innovation in clinical translational science.
This new center is called the Consortium for Translational and Precision Health (CTPH) and builds on the strong partnership between UH and BCM and the Texas Medical Center clinical and research groups that collaborate with these two institutions. It leverages both institutions’ strengths in basic science, translational research, health services, pharmacy, and entrepreneurship to develop and disseminate innovations. The CTPH will also connect researchers with community health organizations and government agencies that contribute to health care, clinical research, and policy in the region.
“This groundbreaking clinical research grant, led by Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Houston, will improve patient care in Houston and elsewhere,” said Paul Klotman, M.D., president, CEO and dean of BCM. “It will accelerate the translation of new technologies into patient care.”
“Research is the engine for life-changing advances in healthcare,” said UH President Renu Khator. “This innovative center will be a catalyst for breakthrough discoveries and treatments that improve people’s quality of life. That’s what drives us at UH, and we’re thrilled to partner with Baylor to create a regional center for change.”
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 Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at BCM, and Dr. Bettina M. Beech, clinical professor of population health and chief population health officer at UH.
“The CTPH is a partnership that leverages the strengths of both institutions and creates a rich, multidisciplinary environment. It will serve as a vehicle to enhance the infrastructure and resources needed to conduct effective research and implement solutions to improve 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 support clinical translational science at both institutions.”
The center will fund pilot projects and support foundational work for ongoing research. For example, a researcher developing a clinical trial might need help with outreach and engagement, planning additional study designs, or accessing clinical data. The CTPH will provide resources and services to accelerate the pace of research from discovery to population-level impact.
The basic platform for the CTPH was created in part by the work of Amos’ group at the ICTR, a group that supports clinical and translational research within BCM.
In addition to UH’s Population Health program and research department, CTPH will draw on the expertise of ten UH colleges, including the Tilman J. Fertitta Family College of Medicine, the Andy & Barbara Gessner College of Nursing, the College of Pharmacy, the College of Optometry, the CT Bauer College of Business, the Cullen College of Engineering, the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, the College of Education, the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, and the Honors College.
“We are committed to driving innovation in clinical and translational science, and this award is a significant step forward in our mission to improve population health outcomes,” said Beech. “This is a testament to the tireless commitment and team spirit of everyone involved. It was truly a team effort.”
Currently, more than 60 leading medical institutions across the country receive funding from the CTSA program. The institutions provide expertise, resources, and partnerships at the national and local levels to improve the health of individuals and communities. The CTSA program also advances the field of translational science through education, training, and career support at all levels.
