Volume 1, Issue 1 (2020)

Thomas Jefferson University Research introduced the university and its diverse research enterprise to new peers, after Jefferson debuted in the Carnegie Research 2 Doctoral Universities category in 2019. As Mark L. Tykocinski, MD, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Thomas Jefferson University writes in his introduction: “If we are aggressive in building our research capacities and platforms, we are highly disciplined in our overall research strategy: identifying areas of strength and meaningful opportunity, and building programs that emphasize collaborative, transdisciplinary and cross-professional approaches.”

The publication shows Jefferson’s commitment to identifying new discoveries in effort to improve lives by impacting the way we think, live and care for each other. It showcases a broad representation of Jefferson researchers and projects: honoring the legacy of Philadelphia University’s focus on textiles, design and architecture, as well as showcasing research in Jefferson’s long term focus on biomedical and health research.

The publication is organized around three not-mutually-exclusive categories of research:

Basic/Discovery Research, which uncovers fundamental new knowledge in the sciences, engineering, social sciences and humanities.

Clinical/Translational Research, which tests whether and how fundamental new knowledge can be translated for use—for example, in the clinical trial of a new drug.

Applied Research, which subjects existing knowledge to new processes and technologies, and uses it to address specific needs for individuals, communities or organizations. It is the reduction-to-practice of prior research.

Article topics range from cellular and immune-based cancer therapies to discovering new uses for hemp. The Jefferson Institute for Bioprocessing is introduced, as well as how a team of researchers from four different disciplines work together to study Autism Spectrum Disorder.