Funding from the National Institutes of Health is crucial for Tennessee’s economy, supporting jobs and fostering collaboration between academic institutions, healthcare providers and startups. At Vanderbilt, NIH funding drives innovative research addressing major health challenges such as cancer, neurological disorders and infectious diseases. The advancements made at Vanderbilt have far-reaching benefits for Tennesseans and people worldwide.
Krish Roy, Bruce and Bridgitt Evans Dean of the School of Engineering, recently engaged in a leadership roundtable in Washington, D.C. with NIH Director Dr. Monica M. Bertagnolli. Hosted by United for Medical Research (UMR), the forum addressed critical issues in biomedical research funding and efforts to secure sustained federal investments in this vital area.
As a coalition dedicated to advancing medical research, UMR plays a critical role in connecting stakeholders like Vanderbilt with policymakers. Associate Vice Chancellor for Federal Relations Christina West represents Vanderbilt on the coalition’s board of directors, underscoring the university’s commitment to cutting-edge biomedical research that addresses urgent health needs.
Roy also joined Russell Rothman, MD, Senior Vice President for Population and Public Health at VUMC and Director of the Vanderbilt Institute for Medicine and Public Health on Capitol Hill to promote robust NIH funding. The two joined leaders from research institutions, patient groups and private industry to advocate for the continued support of federally funded biomedical research and to highlight the critical role the NIH plays in advancing science and addressing public health challenges.
“NIH-funded research not only supports transformative scientific and medical breakthroughs but also drives workforce development and local economic growth in Tennessee,” Roy emphasized during meetings with Senate appropriations staff and the office of Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn, BA’81, JD’84. He stressed that a continued investment in NIH is vital to maintaining the U.S.’s leadership in global health research and innovation, and to ensure that advanced medical care is available to all.
These engagements were facilitated by Vanderbilt’s Office of Federal Relations, ensuring the university’s research priorities were effectively represented.