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About CBR

Since it was founded in 1957, Oakland University has been widely recognized for the quality of its undergraduate degree programs in the sciences. This reputation is, in large part, due to recruitment of very productive research-oriented faculty. The publication and grants records of Oakland University faculty are, on a per capita basis, among the top in Michigan. Furthermore, faculty members working in biomedical research areas have been the most productive.

In 1980, a new interdepartmental program leading to a B.S. in Biochemistry was initiated. This undergraduate program is research-oriented and its graduates are sought after by pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.

In 1983, a Ph.D. program in Biomedical Sciences with specializations in Health & Environmental Chemistry and in Medical Physics were inaugurated. Graduates of this program have been actively recruited for positions in government and industry.

In 1987, a Research Excellence Program in Biochemistry & Biotechnology was initiated with assistance from the State of Michigan. This program includes rigorous applied research in specialized areas and a commitment to high-technology business development in Southeastern Michigan. The development of a program that supports commercial applications of the basic research conducted by a highly productive group of faculty is a logical utilization of one of this institution's strengths to fulfill one of its key missions.

In 1989, an Institute for Biochemistry and Biotechnology was formed to further enhance opportunities for research collaboration and increased biomedical research funding.

In 1995, the chairs of the Departments of Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Physics, and the coordinator of the Interdepartmental Biochemistry Committee, and the director of The Institute for Biochemistry and Biotechnology proposed the development of a new Center for Biomedical Research to incorporate and expand on the activities initiated by the Institute for Biochemistry & Biotechnology and the Research Excellence Program in Biochemistry & Biotechnology. For many years the Center flourished under its first director, Prof. Denis Callewaert.

In 2009, Prof. Bradley Roth became the Director of the Center for Biomedical Research.

In 2020, Prof. Yang Xia became the Director of the Center for Biomedical Research. The Center continues its support of biomedical research at Oakland University.

Goals
  • Support Biomedical Research: The CBR (a) funds biomedical research with the goal of assisting investigators in obtaining external grants, (b) provides a mechanism of peer review to ensure that these funds are used optimally, (c) aggressively encourages and supports initiatives for internal and external support of biomedical research, and (d) promotes translational, applied, and potentially commercial biomedical research.
  • Enhance Graduate Education in Biomedical Sciences: The CBR (a) solicits and administers pre-doctoral fellowship support for students enrolled in the OU doctoral program in the Biomedical Sciences, (b) develops a coordinated Biomedical Sciences graduate recruiting program, (c) identifies additional teaching and research expertise from other collaborating institutions.
  • Provide and Maintain Biomedical Research Equipment: The CBR (a) collaborates with The Research Office on the development and submission of proposals for external funding of major multi-investigator equipment, (b) provides and maintains multi-user state-of-the-art equipment facilities, and (c) facilitates access to specialized facilities and services at other institutions.
  • Enhance Undergraduate Research in Biomedical Sciences: The CBR (a) identifies and administers stipends to support Scholar/Intern Programs in Biomedical research, (b) organizes an annual research forum, and (c) publicizes research training and career opportunities to OU undergraduates, community colleges, and high schools.
  • Improve Communication Regarding Biomedical Research: The CBR (a) maintains a website and social media to promote and publicize biomedical research at Oakland University and to highlight accomplishments of CBR members, and (b) sponsors research presentations and colloquia centered on themes involving Biomedical research.
  • Support and Expand Community Outreach Activities: The CBR (a) facilitates interactions with other institutions, including pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, and (b) establishes and administers access to biomedical research equipment by qualified investigators at other institutions.
Seminars and Colloquia
Affiliated Departments

Select members of the following departments, institutions, and companies participate in the Center for Biomedical Research.

College of Arts and Sciences

School of Engineering

School of Nursing

School of Health Sciences

Research Centers

Other Institutions

Annual Reports

For CBR annual reports, please contact Yang Xia.

Center for Biomedical Research

Hannah Hall of Science, Room 276
244 Meadow Brook Road
Rochester, MI 48309-4451
(location map)
(248) 370-3420
Fax (248) 370-3408

Yang Xia, Director
[email protected]

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