Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) –
New Approaches to Tissue Repair
Funded through grant number P20 RR018757 by NIH/National Center for Research Resources.

Goals of COBRE:

1. To continue to develop and sustain a center of research excellence in tissue repair. We foster a scientific climate characterized by a strong multidisciplinary approach and the rapid evaluation of potential therapeutic targets based on novel findings.


2. To be a leading center in the training of junior investigators in the field of tissue repair. We mentor junior scientists and nurture their career by a balanced approach of nurturing and facilitating fruitful scientific opportunities. We facilitate the development of each investigator’s own unique niche that will lead to scientific independence.


3. To sustain a multi-institutional dimension to our center of excellence in tissue repair. While strengthening the research base at our own institution, we use the multidisciplinary theme of tissue repair to continue to link to other research institutions and scientists within the state, and elsewhere. Ultimately, a major goal is to create a multi-institutional network of scientists with a focus on tissue repair.

Principal Investigator: Vincent Falanga, MD 401-456-2521 vfalanga@rwmc.org

External Advisory Committee:
Jeffrey Davidson, PhD – Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN
Elof Eriksson, MD, PhD – Harvard University and Brigham and Women Hospital, Boston, MA
Robert Lavker, PhD – Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
John Rossi, PhD – City of Hope, Duarte, CA
Robert Tigelaar, MD – Yale University, New Haven, CT

Executive Committee:
Vincent Falanga, MD (Principal Investigator and mentor)
Kenneth Belcher (CEO, Roger Williams Medical Center)
Karen Geremia (Research Administration, Roger Williams Medical Center)
Richard Junghans, MD, PhD (Mentor, Roger Williams Medical Center)
Marshall Kadin, MD (Mentor and Core Director, Roger Williams Medical Center)
Nicola Kouttab, PhD (Core Director, Roger Williams Medical Center)
Kim O’Connell (Vice-President for Research, Roger Williams Medical Center)
Bharat Ramratnam, MD (Brown University)
Robert Sackstein, MD, PhD (Mentor, Harvard University)
Zahir Shaikh, PhD (Director of RI BRIN/INBRE program, University of Rhode Island)

Contact Information:
Please contact Marianne Hadzima, COBRE Program Administrator with any questions at mhadzima@rwmc.org or 401-456-5367.

This COBRE is funded through grant number P20 RR018757 by NIH/National Center for Research Resources.