Robarts Research Institute Enriches Translational Capacity

Robarts Research Institute has created a new structure enhancing its scientific focus and enriching its translational capacity. The changes were made based on recommendations stemming from external reviews of 2006 to 2011 and the 2010 strategic planning retreat. With the changes, Robarts will have three main research groups: Clinical Trials, Imaging Research Laboratories and the newly developed Molecular Medicine.

The Molecular Medicine group will include existing research programs in Biotherapeutics, Molecular Brain Research and Vascular Biology. It has been created to provide an over-arching molecular and cell biology research focus. Dr. Greg Dekaban will serve as the group's director. It will be of comparable size to the Imaging Research Laboratories (17 scientists within each).

The coalescence into 3 research groups will lead to a greater degree of synergy across the individual programs, increased interactions amongst students and investigators, more intensive mentoring and a greater opportunity for translational research.

These changes will help set the stage for a strong future reaffirming Robarts Research Institute's translational capacity.