COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH
Our strategic focus in research has resulted in substantive expansion in just the past year. We are fostering scientific growth with the launch of
a $17 million endowment strategy and investing in infrastructure development. Primary care research has been further cultivated through faculty
hires, research enrichment programs for medical and graduate students, and new initiatives promoting interdisciplinary collaboration.
NEW LEADERSHIP
FOR RESEARCH
When Sonia M. Najjar, Ph.D., joined us as our new associate dean for research and innovation
in February 2016, she took on a considerable goal: To fully realize the potential of the college’s
prominent research programs. As former Frederick W. Hiss endowed professor in diabetes
research and founding director of the University of Toledo’s Center for Diabetes and Endocrine
Research, Najjar is well-positioned to lead efforts to strengthen our research mission and
expand our programs.
In her short tenure as head of the Office of Research and Grants, Najjar has begun laying the
groundwork to increase funding and research support for faculty, staff and students; enhance
our research infrastructure; and expand opportunities for collaboration at the regional, state,
national and international levels. “Banking on our existing strengths and commitment to
medical research – and on the enthusiasm for collaborative research at the university level – we
will be able to leverage our resources and research strengths to position the Heritage College
on the crossroads of excellence in medical research and innovation,” Najjar said. “This is an
exciting opportunity to prepare a new generation of scientists and medical leaders to best face
challenges in biomedical research and develop innovative and scholarly skills that could improve
the health and lives of people everywhere.”
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