Message from the Director

The Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research has served as a long-standing pillar of Columbia’s clinical and translational research enterprise since 1971. Beyond its individual research awards and programs, it strengthens the foundational infrastructure that enables investigators to conduct high-quality and innovative research. During the current era of great change, it is more important than ever to ensure institutional continuity and strengthen Columbia’s capacity to improve human health.

As home of the Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) since 2006, the Institute has been able to offer even more robust resources and training to investigators across disciplines. Every day we are actively involved in ongoing research - through specialized laboratories, dedicated training, and a culture of collaboration that helps discoveries move forward. 

I would like to highlight some of our current work: 

The Biomarkers Laboratory is contributing to ALS research, from drug screening and pilot animal studies to the analytical methods that helped advance prosetin, a compound now in clinical evaluation. MarketScan and related data resources, available within the CUIMC intranet, allow investigators to work with national health claims data, enabling the data analysis of large patient populations, the design of stronger studies, and the generation of real-world evidence to guide practice. Our Clinical Research Resource (CRR) provides infrastructure for investigator-led trials, including specialized inpatient and outpatient units. A current collaboration with the New York Obesity Research Center (NORC) and New York State Psychiatric Institute, is utilizing the CRR as its research epicenter to develop a precision medicine approach to sustained weight reduction through the NIH-funded Physiology of the Weight Reduced State (POWeRS) study. 

Training and workforce development remain central to our mission, providing support and promoting professional growth to the research community. Current Clinical Research Coordinator (CRC) training offers comprehensive instruction in study operations, regulatory requirements, and participant safety to ensure studies are conducted with the highest rigor. We are also partnering with other research offices, adult education specialists and clinical research directors to offer more robust training, onboarding, and career advancement for clinical research coordinators at CUIMC. At the same time, our ASPIRE! peer and near-peer mentoring program has just published their first paper in the Journal for Clinical and Translational Research (JCTS) and is in the process of selecting their fifth cohort of mentees. Their foundational support is critical for creating future leaders in translational science, such as Dr. Katherine Dimitropoulou, of the first ASPIRE! cohort. In addition to being a mentee, Dr. Dimitropoulou utilized Irving Institute programs to design and implement research-driven interventions to improve mobility for children with cerebral palsy. These projects illustrate the breadth of our efforts - spanning discovery science, clinical application, and workforce development - all aimed at creating the conditions where innovation can thrive. What unites them is a shared focus on rigor, collaboration, and impact. 

Looking ahead, I am optimistic about what we can achieve together. The challenges facing biomedical research are significant, but so too are the opportunities. The Irving Institute’s role at the center of Columbia’s translational research enterprise will always remain and our mission stays clear: develop and align research support to meet the needs of the Columbia research community across all stages of their work and career, while serving as a catalyst for translational science at Columbia and beyond. 

I am grateful to the faculty, staff, trainees, and partners whose dedication drives this mission forward. With your creativity and commitment, the Irving Institute will continue to ensure that groundbreaking research is supported for the benefit of patients and communities everywhere. 

Muredach Reilly, MBBCh, MSCE
Director, Irving Institute for Clinical and Translational Research
Vice Dean for Clinical and Translational Research

Previous messages from the Director: December 2023, June 2023, January 2023, August 2022, May 2022, June 2019.