Collaborative Research & Scholarly Activity
We solve problems better together than alone. Our research is strongest when we pursue discovery in diverse teams – within our college, alongside our communities and with our partners. Excellence in our research programs ultimately leads to improved health and quality of life for vulnerable populations in our state and throughout the nation and the world.
Did you know?
For 2022-23, Heritage College researchers received 12 grants from the National Institutes of Health, with a total revenue of $4,778,571 – a 4% increase over FY 2021-22.
The Diabetes Institute celebrates 10 years
The Diabetes Institute celebrated its 10th anniversary in April 2023. This important milestone was marked with a celebration at Heritage Hall that highlighted the history of the Institute and presented several awards to those who have had a profound impact on its growth over the past 10 years. The Diabetes Institute is based in the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine and is comprised of 61 members across five different colleges within Ohio University.
The Heritage College Research Council
The Heritage College Research Council was organized in February 2022 to advise the Heritage College and OHIO leadership on research policies, practices and strategy to facilitate continued growth in the College’s research enterprise. During FY 2022-23, the Research Council prioritized Research Strategy implementation, provided feedback on website design and administrative procedures and began working on templated language for grant applications.
Health Scholars Research Symposium
The OHIO Health Collaborative launched its first official research event in late 2022, hosted by the Heritage College. The Collaborative comprises Ohio University’s College of Health Sciences, the Heritage College and the Voinovich School for Leadership and Public Service. The Collaborative supports the health and well-being of communities across Ohio, with a focus on social determinants of health. The event included 61 presentations from health research studies by students and postdoctoral fellows from Ohio University.
OMNI creates two centers
OMNI established two new centers for research in November 2022, the Injury and Pain Research Center and the Center for Healthy Aging. The centers were designed to create a space to conceptualize what research needs to be conducted to maximize the impact of their work.
Statistical core unit formed
Heritage College partnered with the College of Health Sciences and Professions to provide a collaborative statistical core unit to facilitate research efforts in FY 2022. In FY 2022-23, statistical support was provided for 100 projects.
Increase in research among students
482 research and scholarly activities were registered by medical students in FY 2022-23 as compared to a reported 431 in FY 2021-22.
Research Catalyst Program
The Heritage College participated in the inaugural year of the new OHIO pilot of the Research Catalyst Program (RCP) intended to incentivize research by offering an annual payout to faculty who receive salary support from external grants. The intention of the RCP is to encourage the acquisition of new funding and to increase current levels of externally supported research effort for each eligible faculty member. The Heritage College had 17 participants who charged $601,480 of salary and benefits to external grants. This resulted in a savings of $300,740 to the College.
Heritage College Faculty Members with an Osteopathic Heritage Foundations Research Endowment
Elizabeth A. Beverly, Ph.D., Heritage Endowed Professorship in Behavioral Diabetes, Osteopathic Heritage Foundation Ralph S. Licklider, D.O., Research Endowment, 07/01/2021-06/30/2024
Brian Clark, Ph.D., Osteopathic Heritage Foundation, Harold E. Clybourne, D.O., Endowed Research Chair, 03/01/2016-06/30-2025
Berkeley Franz, Ph.D., Heritage Career Development Faculty Fellowship in Population Health Science, Osteopathic Heritage Foundation Ralph S. Licklider, D.O., Research Endowment, 07/01/2023-06/30/2025
Graciela Muniz-Terrera, Ph.D., Heritage Endowed Professorship in Health and Aging, Osteopathic Heritage Foundation Ralph S. Licklider, D.O., Research Endowment, 01/03/2022-06/30/2024
Sonia M. Najjar, M.S., Ph.D., Osteopathic Heritage Foundation John J. Kopchick, Ph.D., Endowed Eminent Research Chair, 6/01/2018-6/30/2027
Vishwajeet Puri, Ph.D., Heritage Endowed Professorship in Diabetes, Osteopathic Heritage Foundation Ralph S. Licklider, D.O., Research Endowment, 07/01/2015-06/30/2025
Nathan Szewczyk, Ph.D., Heritage Endowed Professorship in Molecular Medicine, Osteopathic Heritage Foundation Ralph S. Licklider, D.O., Research Endowment, 09/01/2020-06/30/2024