About Us
One of the commonalities among investigators at our institute is an insatiable thirst for new knowledge. Every member of our team is internally motivated to find answers for real-world medical conditions. We do this for the patients seen every day at The Ohio State University Ross Heart Hospital, across The Ohio State Heart and Vascular Center, throughout the College of Medicine, the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center and beyond.
The ongoing pursuit of knowledge drives us to make the next discovery that will affect patients in Columbus, across the state and around the world.
What is the DHLRI?
We believe that creativity and innovation are collaborative processes that rely on the participation of many to translate research discoveries at the laboratory bench to the hospital clinic. Our roots are in the College of Medicine at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, but our members include faculty from eight University Colleges and 26 different departments dedicated to discovering new diagnostics and treatments for patients with acute and chronic disease. Our interests span across medicine with active research teams investigating myocardial injury and repair, imaging, acute lung injury, metabolism, pulmonary hypertension, regenerative medicine, arrhythmia and heart failure, pulmonary fibrosis, vascular disease, and nephrology. We occupy over 220,000 sq. ft. in seven Campus Buildings encompassing over 100 PI and 700 members.
The research performed in our labs directly contributes to the health of patients in Ohio. However, these discoveries have a ripple effect that impact physicians, investigators and ultimately, patients throughout the world.
Knowing how important this is, the teams of The Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, founded with the support of William D. (Bill) and Jacquelyn L. Wells and the Davis Foundation are constantly searching for new, exciting and revolutionary ideas that will change the field of medicine.
Guiding Principles to Facilitate Discovery
Proximity - Establish research neighborhoods ("hubs") of PIs working in similar strategic areas based on philosophy that who you see everyday shapes the type an quality of research proposals and papers.
Synergy - Communication within and across strategic areas is critical for interdisciplinary research.
Support - Leverage common interests and needs within a neighborhood to direct investment.
Our Leadership
Thomas Hund, PhD
Interim Director, Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute
Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Credentials
PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University
We have world-class facilities and resources
Within The Ohio State University Heart and Vascular Center, College of Medicine and Wexner Medical Center, we share a commitment to providing our patients with the most comprehensive healthcare options available. Similarly, within The Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute, we have a commitment to our investigators to provide them world-class facilities and technologies to push the boundaries of science.
With a dedicated seven-floor building and space across the campus, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute is now one of the largest heart and lung research institutes in the world. Our physicians and scientists have access to cutting-edge technologies in imaging, cell biology, genetics, bioinformatics and statistics, flow cytometry, mass spectrometry, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, metabolic profiling and animal physiology. Through collaborative efforts with the College of Medicine Office of Research, our investigators have a wealth of resources available for research, education and training.
Discovery through collaboration
The Ohio State University Dorothy M. Davis Heart and Lung Research Institute employs a team approach to synergize discovery in biomedical research.
We are undergraduate biochemistry students and cardiothoracic surgeons working side-by-side to create new and innovative cell-based therapies for lung transplant. We are genetics graduate students and electrophysiologists working together to understand arrhythmia and sudden death in athletes. We are cardiology fellows, biomedical engineering physicists and heart failure cardiologists collaborating to design new algorithms for cardiac imaging in children. Finally, we are groups of staff, faculty and students working with Columbus and the central Ohio community to promote health and wellness.