Research Resources

Since 2011, the Center for Health Equity (CHE) seeks to understand and ultimately eliminate health inequities in under resourced, vulnerable, and underserved communities and populations, particularly those in Western Pennsylvania. CHE addresses issues attributed to institutional racism, builds strategic partnerships across sectors and communities, acknowledges a social equity in all policies perspective, and the public sector's role in achieving health equity for its citizenry.

The Center for Military Medicine Research (CMMR) was established in June 2012 to provide a formal mechanism through which the challenges and opportunities of casualty care and wound healing can be examined at an advanced research level. The center has identified a network of successful partnerships and collaborations between scientists, clinicians, industry, and the U.S. Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs to foster the most promising research technologies and therapeutic strategies.

Areas of Focus include:

• Regenerative medicine and tissue engineering
• Reconstructive surgery
• Transplantation immunology
• Bioinformatics
• Human performance
• Vision Restoration
• Traumatic Brain Injury

The Center for Research on Health Care (CRHC) in the Division of General Internal Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh brings together investigators from throughout the health sciences to conduct innovative, high-impact research in the areas of health services and implementation. CRHC researchers study diverse topics of interest and possess a wide range of methodological expertise.

The mission of the Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) at the University of Pittsburgh is to improve the efficiency with which biomedical advances translate to improvements in the health of the community. CTSI is transforming the process of clinical and translational research through the provision of research and educational resources, thus training and enabling scientists to generate and translate new biomedical knowledge.

• Research Participant Registry
• Regulatory Core
• Clinical and Translational Research Center
• Design Biostatistics and Ethics Core

The University of Pittsburgh has put policies in place - consistent with federal guidelines - that require the reporting and management of the potential conflicts of interest of its faculty, administrators, and staff. The Conflict of Interest Web site makes available COI-related policies and procedures, compliance forms, resource and training materials, and other information on this important issue that will be of interest to the University community.

The Education and Compliance Office for Human Subject Research (ECO-HSR) provides research compliance services and education for bio-medical and psycho-social researchers in all departments and schools throughout the University.  In particular, the ECO-HSR conducts Research Investigator Start-Up Education (RISE) reviews and monitoring sponsor-investigator IND/IDE protocols. In addition, the ECO-HSR program includes a strong research education component. The Pitt Research Network Seminar Series (PRN) is a collaboration between the ECO-HSR and the IRB to provide updated regulatory education and information on “best research practices.” ECO-HSR staff members also provide presentations on good research practices to individual departments upon request.

The role of the compliance component associated with the Laboratory Animal Research Program is oversight through (a) random protocol reviews, (b) “for cause” protocol audits, and (c) semi-annual site visits to animal housing and use areas.  There is a close association between this office and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.

Contact EHS to obtain information and assistance concerning Health and safety within the laboratories and offices at the University. The objectives of the University of Pittsburgh General Health and Safety Program are to:

• identify potential hazards to health and safety at the University of Pittsburgh;
• prescribe suitable means for the evaluation and control of hazards;
• investigate all accidents and institute corrective actions to prevent reoccurrence;
• provide guidance for compliance with federal, state, and local regulations and make specific reference to such regulations where appropriate;
• promote health and safety awareness among University faculty, staff, and students by developing and implementing effective training programs to minimize the impact of workplace hazards. 

The Health Sciences Library System (HSLS) at the University of Pittsburgh offers a wide array of information services, educational opportunities, and resources in print and electronic format to faculty, students, and researchers in the Schools of the Health Sciences.  The HSLS website is the primary access point for library information.

Information Resources: 

HSLS offers access to thousands of databases and full-text electronic journals and books.  Consult PITTCat for the Health Sciences for complete information about HSLS print and electronic resources.

Research Consultation: 

Arrange an individualized consultation with a reference librarian.  A consult could include any of the following: developing/refining a complicated search strategy, locating an appropriate electronic resource, advice on how to approach a difficult topic, data management concerns, systematic review assistance, IACUC searches, or techniques for using the Web to locate specific information.  See Consultation services or call 412-648-8866.

Molecular Biology Information Service: 

Provides bioinformatics support via workshops, videos, access to data analysis software, consultations, and a comprehensive website.   Further information hslsmolb@pitt.edu

The University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences sponsors this website. The purposes of the site are:

• to provide a starting point for access to educational and research-related activities in the health sciences community at Pitt and the UPMC,
• to make available information on health sciences research-related activities, including providing information on funding opportunities,
• to provide a starting point to additional Internet-based, health sciences related resources,
• to provide information about events happening across the Schools of the Health Sciences and the UPMC,
• to serve as a gateway for the health sciences community to University websites that are of practical interest, and
• to alert the health sciences community to scientific news of interest and other important announcements.