University of Utah Health Research Office
The Research Office encompasses functions related to administrative operations, research program development, pre-award, research communications, and research advancement.Other units reporting under the Research Office umbrella include: the BiomedicalResearch Education Office (BREO), Health Sciences Cores, the Rocky Mountain Center forOccupational and Environmental Health (RMCOEH), and the Utah Clinical and TranslationalSciences Institute (CTSI).
The Research Office serves as the strategic lead for the health sciences research mission, working closely with schools, colleges, departments, and programs to ensure alignment of goals and resources.
Leadership
The health sciences research mission is led by Rachel Hess, System Chief Research Officer & Associate Vice President for Research in the health sciences, and Amy Tanner, Executive Director, with the support of Chris Hill, School of Medicine Vice Dean for Research, Richard Dorsky, Assistant Vice President for Research Space, James Cox, Assistant Vice President for Cores Infrastructure, and two Associate Deans, Jamie Dwyer and Jennifer Majersik.
Administrative Operations
Administrative Operationsdelivers the core infrastructure that supports U of U Health’sresearch mission across finance and analytics, strategic planning,research space management, general administration, andlaboratory safety. In FY25, the team strengthened institutionaldecision-making by expanding the research mission dashboardwith daily refreshed analytics and new Grants on Investmentmetrics. They advanced major strategic planning efforts, includingimplementing the three imperative research strategy and launchinggenetics, workforce, and infrastructure initiatives. The team alsosecured new research space—most notably the former Myriadcomplex—and managed key upgrades, remodels, and safetyprograms that improved functionality, efficiency, and readinessacross the research enterprise. making by expanding the researchmission dashboard with daily refreshed analytics and new Grantson Investment metrics. They advanced major strategic planningefforts, including implementing the three imperative researchstrategy and launching genetics, workforce, and infrastructureinitiatives. The team also secured new research space—mostnotably the former Myriad complex—and managed key upgrades,remodels, and safety programs that improved functionality,efficiency, and readiness across the research enterprise.
Research Program Development
In FY25, the Research Program Development (RPD) team advanced U of U Health’s research mission by coordinating a broad portfolio of strategic initiatives, faculty support programs, and data-driven planning efforts spanning biomedical data science, digital health, immunology, genomics, metabolism, and emerging fields. Across these initiatives, RPD facilitated dozens of workshops, seminars, symposia, and community-building events, reaching thousands of participants and strengthening interdisciplinary networks. The team supported major faculty recruitment efforts across multiple departments and enabled seed grant programs that collectively reviewed hundreds of applications and funded innovative projects across the research spectrum. RPD contributed to large-scale programmatic grant submissions totaling tens of millions of dollars, while its strategic intelligence function produced high-value analyses, policy briefs, and funding insights that informed institutional decision-making in a shifting federal landscape. Additional accomplishments included expanded educational programming, enhancements to shared infrastructure such as software development and analytics cores, and increasing success in honorific award nominations and recognitions. Together, RPD’s activities accelerated discovery, strengthened institutional capacity, and positioned the university for future growth.
Pre-Award Team
The Research Office Pre-Award Unit provides expert proposal development support for health sciences investigators, ensuring high-quality, compliant submissions across complex sponsor requirements. In FY25, the team managed 257 proposals totaling $402M in requested funding and launched a new training-focused initiative to build a pipeline of skilled research administrators. They also strengthened campus wide partnerships and advanced process improvements that enhance service quality and institutional competitiveness.
Research Communications
Research Communications formalized into a unified team supporting strategic, internal, and public-facing communication across the research mission. The team expanded branded resources, delivered high-impact workshops to strengthen communication skills, and mobilized rapidly for institutional priorities such as CTSI advocacy. Guided by data-driven planning, they achieved major visibility gains—including 338% LinkedIn follower growth, higher newsletter engagement, and expanded national media reach—elevating the profile and impact of U of U Health research.
Advancement Activities in Research
Advancement efforts in FY25 strengthened philanthropic investment in scientific discovery through the launch of the first Philanthropic Partners Group, which drew 23 proposals, selected six finalists, and funded three $50,000 seed grants supporting rising research innovators. With three new partners joining for a total of six, the group now commits $600K over four years, contributing to more than $2.2M in philanthropic research support across U of U Health.
Biomedical Research Education Office (BREO)
The Biomedical Research Education Office (BREO) strengthens the research education ecosystem by supporting training grant development, graduate program administration, and long-term trainee success across the Health Sciences. In FY25, BREO advanced institutional training capacity through extensive pre- and post-award support, expanded evaluation resources, and enhanced centralized tools for managing NIH-funded programs. The office supported more than 1,100 graduate program applications, coordinated admissions for four major programs, and delivered high-impact professional development through career clubs, mentor training, and new “Day in the Life” seminars. Working closely with campus partners, BREO fosters a cohesive, evidence-based training environment that equips the next generation of scientists.
Health Sciences Cores
Health Sciences Cores advance research excellence by providing centralized, high-quality services through 26 cores and 13 recharge centers, democratizing access to specialized instrumentation and expertise. In FY25, they supported 1,746 investigators, contributed to 435 publications, billed 300 NIH grants, and generated $10.9M in revenue. The team also built university-wide software systems, expanded high-end instrumentation, and strengthened operations through enhanced resource tracking and personnel development.
Clinical & Translational Science Institute
The Utah Clinical & Translational Science Institute (CTSI) serves as the Mountain West’s hub for advancing clinical and translational science, supported by ~$7.8M annually across interconnected CTSA programs. CTSI delivers critical research infrastructure through five service cores, the Clinical Research Support Office, and extensive education and workforce programs. In FY25, it expanded community partnerships, strengthened clinical research operations, enhanced workforce development, and supported broad investigator engagement across the U’s translational research ecosystem.
Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational & Environmental Health
The Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health (RMCOEH) advances worker health through interdisciplinary education, research, and service across Utah and the Mountain West. In FY25, the center expanded to a record 98 students, supported 55+ research projects with $51.6M in external funding, and published 82+ peer-reviewed papers annually. Major efforts included launching the Utah Firefighter Cancer Initiative, leading multiple vaccine studies, and growing faculty and academic programs across both partner institutions.