BRISC: Current News & Activities
Biomedical Research Initiative Steering Committee
The University of South Carolina Biomedical Research Initiative
was launched in April 2003 when Vice President for Research, Harris
Pastides, charged a sixteen member Steering Committee with
developing recommendations, which would enhance the University’s
productivity in research on human health. John Baynes and Russ Pate
were asked to co-chair the effort and to form a committee to allow
faculty to take a leadership role in setting the direction for
biomedical research. A Biomedical Research Initiative Steering
Committee (BRISC), comprised of outstanding biomedical scientists
at USC (see names below), was formed to advise the senior
administration on strategies for development of biomedical research
and to help markedly increase the University’s research
productivity in areas related to human health.
BRISC was asked to develop a planning document that would: (A)
identify areas that present tangible strengths and opportunities;
(B) address infrastructure and/or research policy needs; and (C)
propose an investment strategy to help increase biomedical research
productivity. This would include recommendations for large-scale
facilities to support biomedical research. BRISC analyzed the
University’s current extramural funding for biomedical research
activity, consulted with deans and other university administrators,
and formed several working groups to identify areas of strength,
barriers to research growth, and directions for future investment
and growth. BRISC recommended that the following actions be taken
for the purpose of markedly increasing the University’s
productivity in biomedical research.
- Invest resources to support growth of research on
-
prevention and treatment of cancer
- neuroscience
-
reduction of health disparities across racial, ethnic and
socioeconomic groups
- bioengineering and regenerative
medicine
- Identify optimally productive investments to support
growth of clinical research and make such investments.
- Improve policies and procedures for management of
biomedical research.
- Improve infrastructure and
leadership for biomedical research.
Further, BRISC recommended that the University adopt the goal of
increasing its annual funding from the National Institutes of
Health from its current level (FY 03) of approximately $20 million
to $40 million by FY 08. This represents an average of 15% growth
per year. By that year overall extramural funding to support
biomedical research should increase from the FY03 level of
approximately $30 million to $60 million; that amount should
correspond to at least one third of the University’s total
extramural funding.
BRISC has concluded that attainment of these ambitious goals
will depend on two overriding issues. First, the University’s
faculty capacity for biomedical research must be increased; it is
strongly recommended that steps be taken to increase the number of
tenure track and research track faculty who are NIH-competent.
Second, new resources will be needed to support an expansion of
biomedical research; accordingly, the University’s development
program should give high priority to advancement of biomedical
research.
To see the full copy of the report and executive summary, go
to:
http://www.sc.edu/research/brisc.shtml
| MEMBERS OF
BRISC – 2003/2004 |
| Arlene Andrews |
Professor, Director, Institute for Families in
Society |
| John Baynes* |
Carolina Distinguished Professor, Chemistry &
Biochemistry, COSM |
| Frank Berger |
George H. Bunch, Sr. Professor, Director,
Biological Sciences, Center for Colon Cancer Research, COSM |
| Rose Booze* |
Professor and Bicentennial Endowed Chair of
Behavioral Neuroscience, Psychology, College of Liberal Arts |
| William Butler |
Director, Research and Education, South
Carolina Cancer Center Palmetto Health |
| Susan Cutter |
Carolina Distinguished Professor, Director,
Geography, Hazards Research Lab, College of Liberal Arts |
| Richard Davis |
Professor and Chair, USC Ophthalmology, School
of Medicine |
| Mike Matthews |
Professor, Chemical Engineering, College of
Engineering & Information Technology |
| Beth Mayer-Davis |
Professor, Director, Epidemiology &
Biostatistics, Center for Research in Nutrition and Health
Disparities, Arnold School of Public Health |
| Linda Moneyham |
Research Professor, Research Center, College of
Nursing |
| Russ Pate* |
Professor, Associate Dean for Research,
Exercise Science, Office of Research, Arnold School of Public
Health |
| Lucia Pirisi-Creek* |
Professor, Department of Pathology and
Microbiology, SOM |
| Don Powell |
Professor, Clinical Research Psychologist,
Psychology, Neuropsychiatry, College of Liberal Arts, School of
Medicine, VA Hospital |
| John Rose |
Associate Professor, Computer Science and
Engineering, College of Engineering & Information Technology |
| Michael Wargovich |
Professor, Director Basic Research, South Carolina Cancer Center, SOM |
| Mike Wyatt* |
Assistant Professor, Basic Pharmaceutical
Sciences, College of Pharmacy |
|
* Also serve on the BRISC Executive Steering
Committee |
|
