Advancing discovery, expanding hope
UNR Med and Renown Health are investing in research infrastructure, including a new biobank set to open in September 2026. UNR Med and Renown Health are investing in research infrastructure, including a new biobank set to open in September 2026. UNR Med and Renown Health…
Show share menu For patients facing serious illnesses, access to cutting-edge, innovative treatments can make all the difference. Historically, many Nevadans have looked outside the state to participate in clinical trials or benefit from the latest medical discoveries.
The historic affiliation between the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med) and Renown Health formed Nevada’s first and only integrated academic health system. Together, they are strengthening the state's research capabilities by developing the infrastructure, expertise and partnerships needed to support.
What Happened
These developments build a stronger pipeline from discovery to patient care, enabling researchers to advance new treatments and improve health outcomes across Nevada. Faculty at UNR Med advance biomedical and translational research in areas ranging from muscular dystrophy and infectious diseases to.
UNR Med and Renown Health are investing in research infrastructure, including a new biobank set to open in September 2026.
UNR Med and Renown Health are investing in research infrastructure, including a new biobank set to open in September 2026.
UNR Med and Renown Health are investing in research infrastructure, including a new biobank set to open in September 2026.
Key Details
"Research is a team sport, and we all bring unique expertise to the problems we study." Clinician investigators play a critical role in research advances, identify important clinical questions, participate in clinical trials and translate discoveries into patient care.
At the center of that progress is a growing network of physician-scientists, expanded research capabilities and strategic investments in infrastructure, including a new biobank in the Translational Research Center at UNR Med, which will.
As a Carnegie® R1 research university, the University of Nevada, Reno is recognized among the nation's top research institutions, placing it in the top 3% of universities for research activity.
Since 2021, Renown's clinical trial portfolio has expanded from approximately 35 to more than 140 active trials, while the research team has grown from five staff members to 35.
Why It Matters
For physicians like Eric Kim, M.D., associate dean of clinical research at UNR Med and chief of urology at Renown Health, investments in research infrastructure, core services and seed grant mechanisms make Northern Nevada an increasingly attractive place to combine clinical practice.
In 2026, PCI awarded more than $667,000 through its PCI Research Awards program to support six promising cancer research projects spanning cancer biology, virus-associated cancers, glioblastoma, rectal cancer and patient wellness.
For Burkin, access to human tissue samples is critical because laboratory models can only go so far.
What Reports Say
Coverage of the story so far points to:
Continued reporting by University of Nevada, Reno as more details emerge
