Research and Innovation
Advancing scientific discovery and fostering transformative breakthroughs
Together for CHANGE
Aims to improve health, health care, education, and training of people of African ancestry in health awareness, disease prevention education, and treatment development.
Innovation to Impact
Our research centers are advancing health through clinical and translational research that bridges scientific discovery and patient care.
The Office for Research and Innovation (OfRI) at Meharry stands as the cornerstone of our institution’s commitment to advancing scientific discovery and fostering transformative breakthroughs. Our mission is to empower every Meharry investigator across the full spectrum of inquiry—from fundamental basic sciences to cutting-edge clinical research and critical policy analysis.
The OfRI consists of four main departments across all schools at Meharry Medical College:
- Grants Management
- Regulatory Affairs
- Support Services
- Technology Transfer
OfRI provides oversight of shared resources, core facilities, centers and institutes, collectively known as Organized Research Units (ORUs).
In collaboration with the Research Advisory Council (RAC), the OfRI develops and implements policies designed to enhance the research and innovation portfolio, aligning with Meharry’s mission as outlined in the Sesquicentennial Strategic Plan.
The OfRI also proudly supports the Journal of Healthcare for the Poor and Underserved, a Meharry-owned, peer-reviewed journal exclusively dedicated to contemporary health and healthcare issues of medically underserved communities.
Institutional Metrics and Impact
Expanded Institutional Research Footprint
- Between the periods 2010–15 and 2020–25, total PubMed-indexed publications from Meharry rose from 444 to 1,067, and contributions to Cell, Nature and Science family journals increased from 1 to 27.
- Networks of cross-disciplinary collaborations grew from 8,632 to 217,671, as computed by Meharry co-authorship network analyses of PubMed exports spanning both intra and inter-disciplinary research.
- Growth in scholarly outputs coincided with a 3.5-fold inflation-adjusted increase in sponsored research funding, totaling $128 Million.
Resources for Researchers
From groundbreaking centers to modern facilities and shared resources, our resources help harness the collective expertise of our faculty and students.
Healthcare Innovation
Through tech transfer, we empower industry, governmental organizations and community organizations to turn visionary ideas into impactful innovations, bridging the gap between the lab and patient care.
Reseach Programs and Partnerships
We advance a portfolio of programs and partnerships dedicated to promoting global health advancement, community-engaged research, and accelerating innovation in biomedical science.
Important Dates
News Feed
Medical researchers work in the smallest units of life — cells, molecules, data. Yet every discovery carries a bigger question: How could this actually help patients? At Meharry Medical College, where researchers are pushing ahead in precision medicine, that question doesn’t end with publication. Between the labs and the lives waiting for results lies […]
Dean Encourages Next Generation of Physician Leaders March 20, 2026 – The 2026 Residency Match Results ceremony took place on Friday, March 20 at The Cal Turner Family Center at Meharry Medical College. For medical students who matched, the Class of 2026 saw a 92% match rate. “Match Day represents […]
LOMA LINDA, Calif. — March 25, 2026 — Today, the School of Global Health at Meharry Medical College, in partnership with Loma Linda University Health, launched the Health Assessments and Rapid Transformation (HEART) Initiative in San Bernardino County, California. The five-year initiative aims to reduce cardiovascular disease by building community-based […]