Two basic science departments tops in NIH funding
Two of Vanderbilt University Medical Center's basic science departments have been ranked number one in research funding by the National Institutes of Health.
The Department of Biochemistry and the Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics received more grant money then any of their peer departments across the country.
The Department of Pharmacology was ranked second in the nation.
"The NIH rankings are a testament to the quality of the work being done by all the researchers in these departments," said Dr. Harry R. Jacobson, vice chancellor for Health Affairs.
"These departments have ranked highly for a number of years and will almost certainly remain some of the world's most important research sites in their fields."
The NIH rankings are based on funds received from all NIH grants to the individual departments.
The Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics has ranked in the top 10 for several years.
"In addition to this ranking, we have been in the top 10 percent of papers per faculty and papers highly cited, which are also important measures of a department's success," said Dr. Daryl K. Granner, Joe C. Davis Professor Biomedical Science and chair of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics.
The quality of research conducted is the driving factor in attracting funding, said Dr. Michael R. Waterman, Natalie Overall Warren Distinguished Professor and Chair of Biochemistry.
"We have very broadly based research interests ranging from research into the epidermal growth factors to research into protein structures. All of these research projects have contributed to the success of the department."