Bruce N. Cronstein, MD Appointed
Director of
Clinical and Translational Science Institute
Message from Robert M. Glickman, MD
Dean of the NYU School of Medicine
I am pleased to announce that Bruce N. Cronstein, M.D., has been appointed Director of the Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) and the Principal Investigator (PI) of CTSA grant to be submitted to the NIH in January. He will be succeeding Steve Abramson, M.D., who as you know has recently assumed the duties of Vice Dean for Education, Faculty and Academic Affairs. I am pleased that Dr. Abramson will continue to participate in the process of planning and submitting our application.
Professor of Medicine and Pathology since 1996, Dr. Cronstein brings to his crucial new responsibilities the experience of his own bench-to-bedside investigations, as well as his leadership in training scientists-to-be in the translational disciplines. He developed and directs the Masters in Clinical Investigation program and services both as Associate Director of the Department of Medicine for Research and Director of its division of Clinical Pharmacology. His tenure at our Medical Center has also spanned a residency in Pathology, a fellowship in Rheumatology, directorships of the Arthritis Clinical and of the Rheumatology Division at Bellevue, and a leadership role, as Associate Director, in the General Clinical Research Center.
Dr. Cronstein’s research has yielded promising discoveries, several of which have been patented, in the treatment of inflammation, fibrosis and poorly healing wounds. Working with Pharmaceuticals, for example, his laboratory carried out the pre-clinical testing and selection of an agent that is currently in Phase II clinical trials for the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers. Pre-clinical development of agents for the treatment of fibrosis is also underway, in collaboration with the same pharmaceutical company. In parallel, Dr. Cronstein is pursuing NIH-supported basic science investigations focused on rheumatoid arthritis, wound healing, and hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis.
In his new role, Dr. Cronstein will spearhead the preparation of the NIH grant application to support the creation of a Clinical and Translational Science Institute at our Medical Center. To this end, we have been conducting School-wide preparations since May. Advisory groups have been organized around the key functions of the CTSI, including education, core resources, bioinformatics, data management, biostatistics, community outreach and novel technologies. The planning process has already resulted in remarkable dialogue, not only within our School, but also with other schools and colleges of the university. Space to house the new Institute has been identified at Bellevue, and a faculty survey of individual research needs will soon be released. The needs assessment phase is due to end by the end of October, when we will hold a CTSI retreat in preparation for the actual drafting of the text. The full application is due in January.
The overarching goals of the CTSI—to facilitate and accelerate research that directly benefits patients—represents one of the most important directions for our Medical Center. I am deeply gratified that this effort will be directed by a person of Dr. Cronstein’s caliber, and invite you to join me in wishing him every success in leading an endeavor so defining of our future.
Sincerely,
Robert M. Glickman, M.D.
Dean, NYU School of Medicine
CEO, NYU Hospitals Center