Research Affinity Groups

Pledging to be a leader in pediatric research, the Stokes Institute has witnessed phenomenal growth over the last decade. This growth is evident not only in the number of laboratory and clinical investigators conducting innovative research but also in the unique and cutting-edge programs that are the hallmark of research at Children’s Hospital.

As part of the Hospital’s overall strategic plan, the Stokes Institute continues its expansion, with the aim of achieving a level of visibility that will help the Institute achieve research preeminence.

Recognizing the challenges that often accompany growth, the Stokes Institute looked for a unique way to manage the needs of its investigators, foster interdisciplinary collaboration and better position the institute to compete for decreasing federal research funding.

The solution: Research Affinity Groups.

A new organizing principle of the Stokes Institute, the Research Affinity Group concept reflects the increasingly interdisciplinary and multi-disciplinary nature of many key research questions. In addition, the affinity group structure aligns with the emerging national consensus that multidisciplinary centers are essential to advancing the nation’s research agenda.

The Institute designed the Research Affinity Group structure to build on areas of existing strength, identify new and important research areas, and explore important, broad and interdisciplinary scientific questions that may have an impact on the health of children.

Stokes researchers now collaborate across disciplines more easily to address issues of central importance to children’s health. This collaboration has the potential to link multi-talented investigators with common research interests who are widely dispersed through the Institute.