Celebrating 20 Years of the DHLRI

When it opened over two decades ago, the Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute (DHLRI) started with a simple goal to study heart, lung and kidney diseases. Occupying a new space that amassed one of the largest research footprints on campus at the time, it seemed a daunting task to fill the building, develop collaborative research projects, create pathways to enable discovery and recruit leading research talent to Ohio State. As the years evolved, we developed our infrastructure and leadership, solidified extensions into the research enterprise at Ohio State and honed an invigorating and rewarding culture. Today, our driven focus to foster multidisciplinary, patient-centered research has enabled our team to achieve breakthroughs we wouldn’t have envisioned 20 years ago.

Today we reflect on the heritage of our institution; express our gratitude to the hundreds of faculty, staff, collaborators, donors and other supporters who brought us to the present day; and look ahead to a promising future where Ohio State continues to forge the path to solve the world’s leading heart and vascular problems.

A Vision for the Future, 20 Years in the Making

DHLRIAnniversaryGrowing Our Footprint, Multiplying Our Impact: DHLRI-associated research now takes place at six locations throughout the Wexner Medical Center campus, occupying more than 200,000 square feet of research space. We’re proud to have grown our funding to more than $30 million annually.

Extraordinary Research Faculty: The breadth of our research, from studying molecule to human, provides a rich environment for translational discovery and accelerates our ability to rapidly pivot scientific priorities to emerging discoveries.

Fostering a Unique Environment for Discovery: Beyond expansive laboratory space spanning several buildings, our researchers today enjoy the infrastructure afforded by our Clinical Trials Management Office as well as first-hand translational opportunities with our sister clinical institution, the Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital.

Collaboration Drives Our Success: The depth of our collaborations with researchers and faculty across eight Ohio State colleges and 26 departments, from Engineering and Nursing to Public Health and Veterinary Medicine to name a few, allows us to tap into the extraordinary talents of a multidisciplinary team.

Committed to the Future: We’re proud to provide focused and planned mentorship, training and support to our junior research faculty to ensure a bright future as leaders at Ohio State. And, as we expand into our new Interdisciplinary Research Facility in the near future, the DHLRI will continue its growth in emerging new cardiovascular research fields including metabolism and environmental exposure.

View our historic timeline

Past, Present and Future of the DHLRI

A Historic Look at the DHLRI

Watch a historical overview in celebration of the 20-year anniversary of the Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, which originally opened October 13, 2000 at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Leaders and researchers share their memories of the history over the past 20 years.

Research Today at the DHLRI

As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, our leaders and researchers reflect on the DHLRI is impacting the research community and addressing today’s most pressing challenges.

The Future of Research at the DHLRI

As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, our leaders and researchers look ahead to what the future of the DHLRI holds.