As a result of the discussions at the 2012 Medicine Research Retreat, the Department of Medicine Chair’s Office earlier this summer initiated the Research Development Council (RDC) to assist investigators as they develop and advance their research portfolios.
The RDC is being spearheaded by Michael Dee Gunn, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine (Cardiology). Current RDC members are Andrew Alspaugh, Richard Premont, and Gerard Blobe.
“The RDC seeks to be a clearinghouse for information useful for advancing research within the department,” said Dr. Gunn. “It will serve as a one-stop point-of-contact for investigators seeking to further develop their science.” RDC activities include:
- Reviewing and critiquing research plans and proposals of individual investigators;
- Identifying collaborators, alternative approaches, and technologies that may improve an investigator’s research;
- Distributing information about government, foundation, and industry funding and development opportunities;
- Assembling groups of investigators with common interests in order to develop new collaborative research projects;
- Facilitating the translation of basic science discoveries into diagnostics and therapeutics; and
- Facilitating the commercialization of discoveries made by individual investigators.
To support these activities, the RDC collects and shares the following:
- research activities of investigators in the clinical and basic science departments;
- current funding opportunities;
- resources such as specimen repositories and clinical databases that promote the translation of basic to clinical research;
- the current interests of and development opportunities provided by industry and pharmaceutical companies; and
- activities of the Office of Licensing and Ventures (OLV).
To sign up for the weekly funding opportunities roundup, which includes links to recently released NIH and other FOAs and highlights opportunities for junior and new investigators, or to seek assistance from the RDC, send a message to michael.gunn@duke.edu.