Bernard P. Chang Named Director of TRANSFORM at the Irving Institute
The Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research is pleased to announce that Bernard P. Chang, MD, PhD, has been appointed Director of TRANSFORM, the Institute’s training, education, and workforce development resource, effective September 1, 2026.
TRANSFORM supports the development of a skilled, interdisciplinary clinical and translational research workforce across career stages and professional roles. Its programs offer faculty, trainees, and research staff tailored training in research methods, mentorship, team science, leadership, ethics, AI, and professional well-being. TRANSFORM also oversees the Irving Institute’s investigator training and career development programs associated with the Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA), including the K12 and T32 programs.
Under Dr. Chang’s leadership, TRANSFORM will continue to strengthen its lifelong-learning approach to workforce development. Priorities include expanding mentorship and career development programs; supporting interdisciplinary collaboration and team science; developing responsive training in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence; advancing the professional development of clinical research coordinators and other members of the research workforce; and evaluating and disseminating effective training models locally and across the national CTSA network.
"I'm honored to lead TRANSFORM because great research is built by an entire, interdisciplinary ecosystem: faculty and trainees from diverse disciplines, research coordinators, administrators, community partners, and countless staff members whose expertise and dedication make discoveries possible. Our mission is to support every member of this team with the mentorship, tools, and well-being resources they need to thrive. By investing in the full breadth of our research workforce and fostering true collaboration across disciplines, we create a culture where scientific innovation flourishes at every level," - Dr. Chang.
Dr. Chang brings extensive experience in research, education, mentorship, and faculty development to this role. He is Associate Dean for Faculty Health and Research Career Development at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Vice Chair of Research in the Department of Emergency Medicine, and the Tushar Shah and Sarah Zion Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine. A psychologist and emergency physician, his research examines the relationship between psychological and physical health in patients and health care professionals. He has served as an Associate Director of both the Irving Institute and TRANSFORM since 2023.
He joins an exceptional leadership team as co-director and multi-principal investigator of the KL2 program along with Jeanine M. Genkinger, PhD, MHS. Working closely with the co-directors and co-principal investigators of the T32 program, Jacquelyn Y. Taylor, PhD, RN and Marisa Spann, PhD, MPH. The Institute also extends its deep appreciation to Daichi Shimbo, MD, for his outstanding leadership of TRANSFORM since 2018. During his tenure, Dr. Shimbo helped strengthen and expand the Institute’s interdisciplinary training, mentorship, and research career development programs for trainees and faculty across Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
Dr. Shimbo now serves as Senior Vice President and Vice Dean of Faculty Affairs for CUIMC and VP&S. In this senior institutional role, he will remain an important partner and key CUIMC liaison to the Irving Institute, helping connect its workforce development activities with broader faculty affairs, professional development, and institutional priorities.
“I am delighted to welcome Dr. Chang as our new Director of TRANSFORM. He brings a wealth of experience in mentorship, workforce development, and in the science and implementation of programs for faculty well-being. He will lead an amazing team building on the outstanding accomplishments of Dr. Shimbo in his leadership of TRANSFORM over the past decade. I am deeply grateful to Daichi for his years of service to the Irving Institute and his continued partnership in his new roles at Columbia,” - Muredach Reilly, MBBCh, MSCE, Director of the Irving Institute and Vice Dean for Clinical and Translational Research at VP&S.
Please join us in congratulating Dr. Chang on his new role.