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INFORMATION FOR

Research Strategic Planning

In 2018, the University Science Strategy Committee identified the most promising opportunities for university-wide investment across scientific disciplines. Building on this effort in 2020, Yale School of Medicine has developed a strategic plan for scientific research that aligns with the broader plan and builds on key strengths in the school.

The plan recommends three areas for cross-cutting themes, eight focused areas of research, and ongoing investments in institutional infrastructure essential to meet this vision.

Cross-Cutting Themes

The School of Medicine has identified three cross-cutting themes that will support basic, translational, and clinical researchers across the organization.

  • Data Science - 2020 Plan

    • Create a new section/department in biomedical informatics and data science as a home for faculty experts in all areas ranging from clinical informatics to bioinformatics and data science
    • Expand in areas that may include Biomedical/health record data, Image processing, or Next generation “omics”
    • Develop infrastructure for core support in this area

  • Data Science - Progress

    • The section of Biomedical Informatics and Data Science was created with Lucila Ohno-Machado, MD PhD, as the first chair and also Deputy Dean for Biomedical Informatics
    • This work is ongoing with several recent faculty recruitments into BIDS as well as new hires. Ohno-Machado is leading efforts to build new computing infrastructure and data workflow.

  • Team Science - 2020 Plan

    • Set up organizational structure to facilitate teams in large initiatives/team science
    • Provide pilot funding program to support nascent teams to develop high impact projects
    • Facilitate exposure of faculty new to the YSM and Yale community via research-in-progress presentations and networking

  • Team Science - Progress

    All departments are encouraged to host new faculty from outside the department in grand rounds and departmental seminar series.

Focused Areas of Research

The School of Medicine has identified eight focused areas of research that build upon existing strengths and leverage opportunities for collaboration and interdisciplinary science.

  • Single Cell Biology--2020 Plan

    • Build on strengths in nuclear cell biology, epigenetics, and single cell biology
    • Recruit cohort with a concentration of expertise in single cell biology
    • Support groups already working together on program project-type applications
    • Synergize with investments in key technologies and data science
    • Seize opportunities for collaborative team projects that span departments and disciplines

  • Developmental Brain Disorders - 2020 Plan

    • Bring together strength distributed across many departments and centers
    • Seize opportunities for collaborative team projects that span departments and disciplines

  • Developmental Brain Disorders - Progress

    • One multi-disciplinary team received a POINTS award for a team-based effort to understand how genes underlying neurodevelopmental disorders impact brain circuit development and function.
    • Center for Brain & Mind Health established
    • Multiple collaboration initiatives in progress

  • Health Equity Research - 2020 Plan

    • Leverage appointment of Marcella Nunez-Smith, MD, MHS, as inaugural associate dean of health equity research to coordinate efforts across the school and create common tools
    • Enhance positions in YCCI and Yale Cancer Center devoted to health equity research
    • Support the SEICHE Center for Health and Justice (Yale School of Medicine plus Yale Law School)
    • Include as a targeted area for cluster hiring in our FIRST Award application

  • Biomedical & Biological Imaging - 2020 Plan

    • Recruit new PET Center director; continue the transformative initiative that the PET Center has been, and simultaneously enhance its service role
    • Organize and brand an umbrella center to facilitate collaboration and serve as a home for program/center grants and training grants
    • Identify opportunities to better connect biomedical and basic biological imaging (example: FIB-SEM)

  • Translational Medicine/Clinical Trials - 2020 Plan

    Strengthen support for broad infrastructure needs in light of changing NIH priorities and funding in this area. Develop plans built on a framework designed to enlist more members of underrepresented groups as participants in clinical trials, an approach enhanced by the successful renewal of the CTSA.

  • Translational Medicine/Clinical Trials - Progress

    • A YCCI team has been formed to address the diversity of clinical trials and has successfully received major funding to explore new templates from FDA and PhRMA Foundation
    • A new Faculty Advisory Committee for YCCI has been formed and a strategic planning process will move forward in fall 2023.

Institutional Infrastructure

The School of Medicine is committed to making strategic investments in institutional infrastructure to support discovery and facilitate access to essential tools and resources.

  • Office of Team Science - 2020 Plan

    Create Office of Team Science to promote assembly of teams and manage projects to submission of P and U type NIH grants. Provide pilot funding for teams to nucleate new proposals via the newly formulated Program for the Promotion of Interdisciplinary Team Science (POINTS) Program.

  • Team Science - Progress

    All departments are encouraged to host new faculty from outside the department in grand rounds and departmental seminar series.

  • Biorepository - 2020 Plan

    Create the YSM Biorepository as a central coordinated biorepository that allows for the alignment of collected tissue, plasma, serum and genetic samples and clinical data, using common processes and information systems.

  • Biorepository - Progress

    • Created YSM Biobank, a coordinated biorepository that allows for the alignment of collected tissue, plasma, serum and genetic samples, and clinical data, using common processes and information systems. Led by Chen Liu, MD, PhD.