If funding for research is a measure of achievement, then UMDNJ numbers speak clearly. To foster dreams of making profound differences in the lives of patients, faculty-scientists like Steven Silverstein, PhD, for example, rely on a wide world of resources as well as the University’s very own support network.

Respect for research is an elementary ingredient in every facet of UMDNJ’s mission, expanding out of the lab and into patient care, education and community service. Add the fact that our University’s NIH support is growing in a climate of shrinking support everywhere else. As Kathleen Scotto, PhD, Vice President for Research at UMDNJ, says, “NIH grant awards are primarily determined by top scientists from research institutions across the country who are asked to review applications. Our rankings show that this faculty is successfully competing for these prestigious awards.”

Much of the success of the faculty/researchers is due to the University’s commitment to expanding research infrastructure—a capital campaign recently completed added substantial space for labs—and to attracting additional research stars to the faculty. Steven Silverstein (at right) was recruited from the University of Illinois-Chicago Medical Center last year. He is chair of the American Psychological Association’s Task Force on Serious Mental Illness. Now a professor of psychiatry at RWJMS, Silverstein is working on schizophrenia at UBHC, the University’s mental health and addiction services unit. His research aims to better understand patients’ social and cognitive difficulties. Silverstein believes, “Although medications can be effective in treating many psychological symptoms related to schizophrenia, many people face major challenges in gaining or regaining the kind of life skills necessary for effective daily functioning and for making progress towards personal goals.”

Whether we look at the collective success of UMDNJ’s research enterprise or the significant contributions of individual researchers, the results are the same—outstanding.