SUBJECT:

Establishment of the Clinical Investigation Institute

Following consultation with the Academic senate and campus administrative officials, I am pleased to announce the establishment of the Clinical Investigation Institute as an Organized Research Unit reporting to Vice Chancellor Edward Holmes. Dr. Gary Firestein, Professor of Medicine, will serve as its first Director.

The UCSD Clinical Investigation Institute (CII) will facilitate disease-oriented and patient-oriented research. The Institute will provide an infrastructure to support the activities, the development of innovative therapies will be streamlined and patients will have early access to groundbreaking therapy. The CII will integrate disease-oriented research with fundamental biology, biotechnology, and physician-scientist training through a) proof-of-concept clinical trials with novel biomarker and imaging endpoints; b) research into the pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, genetics, epidemiology, and natural history of disease; c) education and training opportunities in clinical investigation. As Director of the CII, Dr. Firestein will oversee the development of core facilities, educational initiatives, pre-clinical research networks, and clinical trial opportunities.

For more information, please contact cii@ucsd.edu or 858-822-CII (1244).

Marsha A. Chandler Acting Chancellor