The Reporter: Dec 1994, Vol.5, No.4
Publication Features Investigators

The CPMC Office of Clinical Trials has published a 40-page publication, "Fostering Clinical Research Excellence at the Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center," that highlights the research projects of younger faculty and house staff members.

The publication profiles 10 recipients of the New Investigator Pilot Award, $50,000 awards granted by the Office of Clinical Trials each year. Biographical sketches of recipients are followed by project descriptions and results. Some 3,000 copies were printed, and the next issue book profiling the second group of 10 recipients is due out next spring.

Michael Leahey, director of the Office of Clinical Trials, produced the book with the help of Dr. Jim Weir, lecturer in medicine. Mr. Leahey plans to send copies to pharmaceutical companies, teaching institutions, and other members of the research community in an effort to spread the word about both Columbia research programs and the Pilot Award recipients.

"We gave these young investigators some money so they could take a concept off the drawing board and collect data in support of new applications and get the results of their work out to parties that might be interested in funding them," Mr. Leahey says. "Certainly the academic kudos they deserve will be forthcoming. But also, I truly believe this will help to generate some additional research funding to continue their work."

Seven of the first 20 award recipients received nearly $2 million in additional grant support based on their pilot award work, Mr. Leahey says. "The other 13 all have applications in, so the program is very successful."

"Fostering Clinical Research Excellence at the Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center" also lists recipients of the CPMC House Staff Mini-Grants Program and The Irving Scholars Endowment Program.

Up to 30 house staff mini-grants of $1,500 are awarded every year based on applicants' contributions to clinical research, the development of clinical research skills, or the advancement of clinical research professional development.

The Irving Scholars Endowment Program nurtures the careers of junior faculty members involved in clinical investigation. Each Irving Scholar award is for a period of three years, renewable for a second three-year period.

Copies of "Fostering Clinical Research Excellence" may be requested from the Office of Clinical Trials, 305-3990 (ext. 73990).