Partnership between CTSI and Business Schools Can Promote Best Practices for Core Facilities and Resources

Abstract

Biomedical research enterprises require a large number of core facilities and resources to supply the infrastructure necessary for translational research. Maintaining the financial viability and promoting efficiency in an academic environment can be particularly challenging for medical schools and universities. The Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute sought to improve core and service programs through a partnership with the Indiana University Kelley School of Business. The program paired teams of Masters of Business Administration students with cores and programs that self-identified the need for assistance in project management, financial management, marketing, or resource efficiency. The projects were developed by CTSI project managers and business school faculty using service-learning principles to ensure learning for students who also received course credit for their participation. With three years of experience, the program demonstrates a successful partnership that improves clinical research infrastructure by promoting business best practices and providing a valued learning experience for business students.

Importance of inclusive service for corporate use of university research infrastructure in Japan

“…In the U.S., Indiana University arranged a partnership between one of its research institutes (including a core facility) and their business school, which introduced concepts such as, cost controlling and business acumen to the research institute [4,23]. It might be helpful to consider this example as a development or education model for human resources tasked with corporate engagement at university core facilities.…”

“…Meanwhile, in the U.S., the Indiana Clinical Translational Sciences Institute (CTSI) in the Indiana University attempted to improve clinical research infrastructure through a partnership with Indiana University School of Business [23].…”

The Access Technology Program of the Indiana Clinical Translational Sciences Institute (CTSI): A model to facilitate access to cutting-edge technologies across a state

“…The ATP partnered with the IU Kelley School of Business who pairs three to five MBA students with an Indiana CTSI core facility. Core selection is based on a yearly competition and the BMAP has assisted up to 8 cores per year [9,10]. Priority is given to proposals that will: (1) lead to improvements in organizational efficiency, speed of service, and/or quality; and (2) can potentially be extrapolated and benefit other cores, resources, programs, or units.…”