Rising Impact in Anesthesia Research
The University of Minnesota Department of Anesthesiology has reached an exciting milestone, securing the 35th spot in the 2024 rankings for NIH research funding. This achievement places the department in the top 20% of academic anesthesiology departments nationally, a testament to its significant and continued growth in innovative research.
“This is a huge achievement for the department,” says Laura Stone, PhD, Professor and Director of the Stone Lab. “Just a few years ago, we weren’t even on the list and had no NIH funding. These rankings demonstrate our dedication to building research depth and breadth within the department, as well as our ability to contribute new discoveries to the field. We are playing in the big leagues now.”
The department's rise in the rankings is not just a reflection of the increasing volume of research but also the quality of innovative work being. “Our increasing ranking highlights the innovative work we’re doing and shows the value of a collaborative environment combining clinical expertise and basic research in the Department of Anesthesiology," stated Jeff Boissoneault, PhD, Professor and Director of the Minnesota Alcohol and Pain Lab.
The department’s rapid improvement in NIH research funding is largely attributed to its leadership and commitment to developing a robust environment for academic research. Dr. Stone emphasizes, “This is a huge testament to the leadership of the department and their vision for creating a hub for academic anesthesiology research. The department has created a supportive environment where our scientists can excel.”
In addition to engaged leadership, the department’s success has been bolstered by significant grant awards, including Dr. Boissoneault’s new R01 grant, which aims to understand the impact of pain on alcohol consumption. “We’ve been lucky to have been awarded NIH funding for several projects in the last year,” Dr. Boissoneault says. “My new R01 builds on several years of work validating a new platform to measure these effects, rather than just focusing on the quantity of alcohol consumed.”
One of the key factors in the department's continued growth in research funding and publications has been its investment in essential resources and infrastructure for researchers. “We have great support staff, protected time for research, and the infrastructure necessary for our research programs,” Dr. Stone explains. “The department has also encouraged collaborations both within and outside the medical school, which have been essential to successful grant applications.”
For Dr. Boissoneault, the department’s support has been invaluable in helping him transition to the University of Minnesota. “The support and advocacy of our Department Chair, Dr. Wall, and Vice Chair for Research, Dr. Todd, has been incredibly helpful getting my research program off to a running start after moving here in May 2023. It’s also been invaluable to work with fantastic colleagues in the Graduate Program in Neuroscience, the Pain Consortium, and Medical Discovery Team on Addiction.”
The department’s strong position in the NIH rankings is poised to help attract even more research opportunities and collaborators in the years ahead. Dr. Stone foresees increased recognition benefiting the department’s ability to attract top-tier talent. “As our reputation as a hub for research continues to grow, we will be able to attract outstanding trainees, researchers, and clinician-scientists, which will further cement us as a place to be for cutting-edge research and training. Increased recognition will also lead to expanded opportunities to collaborate both within and beyond the medical school.”
Dr. Boissoneault adds, “Building the Department of Anesthesiology’s national reputation as a great place to conduct pain-related research can only help attract fantastic new faculty colleagues, research staff, postdoctoral scholars, and graduate students.”
The University of Minnesota Department of Anesthesiology's continued rise in NIH funding underscores its growing influence in the field of anesthesiology research. With continued support, collaboration, and a focus on innovative, interdisciplinary work, the department is poised to maintain its position at the forefront of academic anesthesiology.
