Research Growth and Opportunity

Good morning.

Today’s topic is research. I have a number of updates but want to lead off with a very important update that greatly impacts the research mission. Dr. Richard Summers, associate vice chancellor for research, interim director of the Cancer Center and Research Institute, and professor of emergency medicine, has announced he will retire as associate vice chancellor, effective July 23.

Dr. Summers has served UMMC for 45 years, the last nine years as the leader of our research enterprise. His impact on the Medical Center over his career - from teaching students and residents, to serving patients in the Emergency Department, to driving massive growth in the research mission - has been enormous. During his time of leadership, we have had record numbers of grant submissions, record numbers of grants awarded, reached record levels of extramural funding, established an enterprise data warehouse, and opened the Translational Research Building and the Clinical Trials Unit among other stellar accomplishments. The research mission, with his courageous leadership, was absolutely integral to our pandemic response.  

In 2020, he received the platinum medallion during our Excellence in Research Awards, recognizing his own personal research achievements. I first met Dr. Summers when I was a first year medical student and he was a teacher in the Medical Physiology course. Over the ensuing years, he has been a mentor, friend, and respected colleague. I am very proud of his accomplishments and grateful for his many contributions to UMMC.  

Dr. Summers’ contributions to medicine have been noted outside the state as well. He wrote the book, “Experiences in the Biocontinuum: A New Foundation for Living Systems” to propose new ways to think about biological processes. And last week, he traveled to the Center of Studies of Art and Culture of Naples, Italy to receive the Sebetia-Ter International Award for Outstanding Contribution to Medical Research, recognizing his lifetime dedication to the advancement of science. Thank you, Dr. Summers, for your service to this institution and all Mississippians.

While we initiate the search for a CCRI director, Dr. Alan Jones, associate vice chancellor for clinical affairs, assumed the role of interim CCRI director, effective June 1, 2022.

Soon I will share plans for leadership for the research mission. The future leader of our research enterprise will be charged with maintaining and expanding upon what has been accomplished to date. It will be no small feat when you consider the varied and expansive projects underway by our scientists. Even though Commencement is behind us, learning does not take a summer break at UMMC. That’s especially true within our research laboratories and programs, where teams continue to make new discoveries and train the next generation of biomedical scientists.

The Medical Center’s 2025 Strategic Plan describes some priorities for our research mission as they relate to our overall campus goal: improving the health of Mississippians. We strive for more intention in how we use resources to ensure we can continually invest in research across campus.

I asked a group of research and other campus leaders to consider our research priorities. They approached this by answering two questions:

• What are UMMC’s existing strengths and assets?
• What do our patients need?

Using those answers, we defined seven areas as the foundation of our research and discovery efforts. Investments in these areas aim to increase our understanding of these conditions, to improve prevention and treatment, and to improve the health of the communities we serve.

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Cardiometabolic, renal, and obesity-related diseases

Heart disease is the primary cause of death of Mississippians. We have some of the highest rates of hypertension, kidney disease, diabetes and obesity. It is not a point of pride, but this is: UMMC has always been a leader in cardiovascular research. Today, the Mississippi Center for Obesity Research, the Mississippi Center for Clinical and Translational Research, and the Cardiovascular Renal Research Center are a few of the multidisciplinary groups studying prevention and treatment for these disorders.

Cancer

The Cancer Center and Research Institute has basic, translational and clinical scientists working on ways to treat cancer. So far this year, they have activated clinical trials testing treatments for breast and renal cancers. Our CCRI team recognizes that enrolling patients in trials means helping them find ways to overcome barriers. The CCRI recently received a grant to help Mississippi women, particular from rural areas, navigate and access clinical trials.

Health Disparities and Population Health

The landmark Jackson Heart Study has been an example of how to conduct community-oriented research on cardiovascular health and health disparities for more than 20 years. Faculty and students in the John D. Bower School of Population Health – which just granted its first research-ready PhD degrees – will lead the way in this impactful area of health science.

We’re also including some areas of infectious diseases research under this umbrella. Our experience during the COVID-19 pandemic has shown just how important this work is to our research portfolio.

Brain and Neurosciences

Coming out of the pandemic, one of our biggest priorities is to manage a different one: opioid misuse. One of the newest centers of campus, the Center for Innovation and Discovery in Addictions, will find new ways to help those struggling with substance use disorders by developing safer and more effective pain medications. Meanwhile, The MIND Center continues to be a beacon, shining light onto the causes and potential treatments for dementia. They have officially launched and started seeing participants for the UMMC MIND Center-Mayo Clinic Study of Aging. This effort will leverage advances in neuroscience and our partnership with Mayo to explore the factors that contribute to brain aging and dementia, their relationship to physical function, and how to protect those abilities as we age.

Genomics, Proteomics and Bioinformatics:

We are using big data and “-omics” approaches to help bring forth the promise of precision medicine: choosing the best treatments for each patient based on their whole health. UMMC is proud to be part of the NIH’s All of Us research study, which aims to collect genetic, health and lifestyle data from one million Americans. The Biobank has a separate project with the Mayo Clinic, Biobank Mississippi, with a similar aim.

Children’s and Women’s Health

As home to Mississippi’s only Children’s Hospital, we have the distinct responsibility of caring for our state’s children. That includes some of the smallest and sickest in our Level IV neonatal intensive care unit. Furthermore, UMMC consistently leads the nation in preeclampsia-related funding from the National Institutes of Health. Combined, we have dozens of faculty and trainees actively working to understand the effects of perinatal health in babies and moms across their lifespan.

Medical Technologies and Materials

Our Center for Telehealth is one of just two nationally recognized Centers for Excellence. We harness its abilities in our research and development of new ways to treat patients. Whether it is used for remote blood pressure monitoring or virtual school clinics, telehealth is a tool that can reach virtually anyone in Mississippi.

We also want to invest in research in materials that improve quality of life. Much of this outstanding work comes out of School of Dentistry, focused on oral and craniofacial implants.

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Scientific questions are as diverse as the people who generate them. These priorities do not mean UMMC will discourage discovery outside of these areas. While fiscal year 2022 doesn’t end until June 30, I’m proud to say that through the end of April the Medical Center has taken in more than $87 million, putting us on track for another successful year.

I want to acknowledge that none of this work is possible without you. Faculty, students and staff in all seven schools and offices across campus make this happen. Whether you are a grant administrator, an animal care technician, a PhD student or a senior investigator, your skills and expertise are helping us create A Healthier Mississippi.