Advancing medicine through clinical research.

We’re committed to collaborative clinical research that fuels discovery and improves patient care across Nevada and beyond.

A patient in a clinic talking with a physician.

Supporting the future of clinical discovery

At the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med), clinical research is a vital part of our mission to improve health and advance medical knowledge. Whether making discoveries in the lab or at the bedside, we support investigators at every stage of the research process through specialized resources, expert guidance and hands-on training. Through this comprehensive support, we empower faculty, learners and partners to pursue innovative, patient-centered research that drives meaningful impact.

Translational Research Center

The Translational Research Center advances innovative medical research by providing expertise and a wide variety of resources. Led by the Associate Dean of Clinical Research, the center supports clinical, translational and biomedical research pursuits for faculty and students. The centralized research space is staffed with a team of specialists to support medical research at UNR Med and Renown Health. Located in the Center for Molecular Medicine, the fully outfitted clinic space includes seven private outpatient rooms, two blood draw stations, physician consultation areas, a sample processing and storage station, and dedicated space for IP storage and preparation.

M.D. Education

The center provides comprehensive support to students who want to gain meaningful experience in medical education research, translational research and clinical trial conduct. Research navigation services include mentor matching, guidance on protocol development with contribution by biostatistical support, and obtaining scientific and IRB review and protocol logistics. Additionally, the center tracks metrics on scholarly activity for the purpose of reporting for LCME accreditation.

Clinical Trials

In partnership with Renown Health, the center offers services to clinical and research faculty, and continues to expand translational research in Northern Nevada. As Nevada’s first integrated academic health system, this partnership will increase access to innovative treatments, enhance medical education and promote a strong workforce of health care leaders.

Our Team
A physician looking at a patient's arm.

Clinical research support

The TRC supports faculty, students and residents in navigating study start-ups, the IRB and funding. In addition, the TRC has an outpatient clinic unit with the exam rooms that can be used for researchers to recruit study subjects and conduct outpatient research interventions.

Medical Student Research Opportunities
A person in gloves working with equipment.

Biobanking

The TRC supports a biobanking unit that collects deidentified clinical specimens for use in translational biomedical research, enabling investigators to explore disease mechanisms, identify potential biomarkers, and evaluate novel diagnostics and therapeutics. 

Leica microscope set up in a lab.

Clinical Data Science

The Clinical Data Science (CDS) unit provides access to and support for researchers conducting research in large payer and provider datasets to support the development of new research projects. In addition, the CDS provides access to data tools to support research projects.

Clinical research education

Training resources

UNR Med provides clinical research education and has the following resources available:

  • Training for Human Subjects Research (through the CITI Program)
  • IRB Net Access and Training (for submitting new research protocols)
  • HIPAA Training (through the CITI program)
Training resources offered by the University

Master of Science in Clinical Investigation (MSCI)

UNR Med has partnered with the University of Utah to provide tuition reimbursement for qualifying faculty to complete their Master of Science in Clinical Investigation.

For more information, contact Samuel L. Lee, M.D., Ph.D.

Learn more about the MSCI degree program
A patient getting their blood pressure measured.

Office of Clinical Research at Renown Health

UNR Med collaborates with Renown Health to offer clinical trial support for faculty researchers. Faculty researchers may contact the Renown Research Office for more information on participating in or starting new clinical trials.

Explore support offered by the Renown Research Office