Rhode Island biomedical research hub celebrates a decade of impact and an investment in the future

PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] - For biomedical researchers, developing a promising idea into a medication or device that will help patients takes time, an extensive support network and significant funding. With the help of Advance Rhode Island Clinical and Translational Research (Advance-RI CTR), molecular biologist Chat Jayasuriya has accomplished a major feat: translating his laboratory research into a therapeutic that is now being tested for safety through a biomedical startup he co-founded.

"I don't think we would be where we are without Advance RI-CTR," said Jayasuriya, an associate professor of orthopaedics at Rhode Island Hospital and the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University.

The Brown-based Advance RI-CTR provides education and training to researchers across Rhode Island and provides funding to move research discoveries into clinical and community settings to make a positive impact on health. The program is a partnership between Brown University, Brown University Health, Care New England, the University of Rhode Island, the V.A. Providence Healthcare System and other organizations.

The federally funded program began with a $19.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health in 2016, was renewed with $19.9 million in 2021, and in September 2026, received an additional $26 million for the next five years.

Dr. Sharon Rounds, associate dean for translational science at Brown and the program's principal investigator for the past five years, highlighted the significance of its efforts and the government's investment at an early-November event.

"It represents new discoveries, expanded research programs and investigators who gain the resources to pursue questions that might otherwise go unanswered," Rounds said.