Great Minds, Greater Discoveries
two researchers at a computer and microscope in a lab

Strategic Research Plan

Focused on increasing faculty competitiveness and their ability to pursue major scientific questions in a rich and diverse environment, leading to discoveries that inspire new preventions, treatments, and cures.

Great Minds, Greater Discoveries graphic

The University of Michigan Medical School’s strategic research plan, Great Minds, Greater Discoveries, is focused largely on our people, who remain our greatest resource.

Shaped by the Research Board of Directors, the ultimate objective of this initiative is to increase faculty’s competitiveness and their ability to pursue major scientific questions in a rich and diverse environment that leads to discoveries that inspire new preventions, treatments, and cures.

eHealth Task Force Update

eHealth is a strategic priority for Great Minds, Greater Discoveries, and to date the Office of Research has supported this domain through the creation of the Data Office for Clinical and Translational Research, investments in partnership with other campus collaborators in Precision Health, and the implementation of e-HAIL with the College of Engineering. Further eHealth planning will engage these and other existing programs across campus to focus on the strategies and resources needed to take Michigan Medicine research activities to the next level and synergize with the health system through translational efforts.
 
To better understand our research strengths, resources, and assets in eHealth, an Office of Research task force is gathering input from leadership and faculty working in AI, machine learning, wearables, sensors, big data, data analytics, predictive algorithms, and related fields. Subsequent phases will define priorities and prepare recommendations to help faculty navigate available resources and accelerate the pace of achieving impact in healthcare through translational research.
 
Interested in offering your feedback to the eHealth task force? Connect with Joan Keiser at [email protected].

A Message from Dr. Runge About EHealth
Five Strategies

The University of Michigan Medical School will be the destination for world-class research faculty, learners, and staff with active development across all stages of their careers. Tactics including:

An integrated research ecosystem will foster collaborations across disciplines, the University, external partners, stakeholders, and communities. Tactics including:

  • Identify scientific areas where the power and synergy of U-M can be brought to bear to advance science and health
    Strategic Research Domains
       -Neuroscience
       -eHealth
       -Health Equity
       -Opioids & Pain
       -Inflammation

    Crosscutting Themes
       -Interdisciplinary Collaborative Science
       -Health Disparities
       -Lifespan
       -Translation to Impact
  • Provide large-scale grant support
  • Develop a mechanism to facilitate organic community formation by faculty with common research interests
  • Enhance Michigan Experts

Our pioneering research will enable innovative, high-risk, and transformative biomedical discoveries. Tactics including:

  • Dedicate internal funds to support “bold” science. CLICK HERE to learn more about Research Scouts, one example of programs supporting bold science.
  • Develop mechanisms to bring diverse faculty together intellectually to solve scientific and health problems
    -Think tanks, ideation jams, TEDx, coffee chats, pubs & grub, Center-2-Center
    -Foster an entrepreneurial ecosystem to advance novel findings and translate discoveries
    -Capitalize on commercialization & seed funds to accelerate MM innovations
    -Recruit faculty with an entrepreneurial phenotype

The U-M clinical research enterprise will be best in class, executing investigations of the highest quality and impact that improve clinical care, value, access, and outcomes. Tactics including:

  • Improve efficiency of activating high-quality clinical trials.
  • Build capabilities to become lead site of multi-site clinical trials.
  • Execute “site-less” clinical trials using modern smartphone and web app tools
  • Streamline processes
  • Modernize regulatory review workflows & eRRM application
  • Improve inpatient research workflows & partnerships
  • Expand tools: Advarra eReg, recruitment, etc.
  • Expand research to strategic ambulatory clinics & statewide community affiliates

 

Our vibrant research environment will facilitate scientific excellence through cutting-edge infrastructure and expert services. Tactics including:

  • Strengthen IT infrastructure
    -Embedded research liaisons
    -Expand Academic IT core
    -Managed device program
    -High-speed research network
    -Computing package
    -Data storage, security, & dissemination
    -Access to health data
    -New tools: Salesforce (centralized training grant data) & Epic reporting and recruitment tools
  • World-class Cores & resources
    -Continued technology investments
    -Transforming cores - Advanced Microscopy & Advanced Genomics
    -New central cores: Mobile Health & Wearables Collaborative & Training Grant Office
    -Michigan Research Cores portal
    -MM integrated website redesign – "Research” breadth and depth
  • Renovations & Improvements
    -Generator Projects
    -BSRB Vivarium
    -Med Sci I B & D Wing
    -Med Sci II
Dean's Lecture 2023: Inflammation

Keynote

Anticytokine Autoantibodies: Hiding in Plain Sight

Steven Holland, M.D.
Director of the Division of Intramural Research
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

Presentations

When Inflammation Hides in Plain Sight
J. Michelle Kahlenberg, M.D., Ph.D.

Keratinocyte-Macrophage Inflammation Axis in Diabetic Wounds
Sonya Wolf-Fortune, Ph.D.

Immunopathogenesis and Immunity in the Lung
Bethany Moore, Ph.D.

With great minds achieving greater discoveries, we will create transformative knowledge that advances science and improves health.

Steven L. Kunkel, Ph.D.
Chief Scientific Officer, Michigan Medicine
Steve Kunkel in his lab
Questions?
Contact Us
Office of Research
University of Michigan Medical School
Phone:: 734-615-1332
7313 Medical Science I Building
1301 Catherine Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5624

North Campus Research Complex (NCRC)
Building 520, 3rd Floor
2800 Plymouth Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2800