From the Director: Reflecting on Impact and Resilience in 2025
Happy New Year, Wright Center Team!
As we step into 2026, I find myself reflecting on what can only be described as an extraordinary year for the C. Kenneth and Dianne Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research. Our theme for 2025 was Impact, and looking back at the data from our Evaluation team, the evidence of your hard work is everywhere.
I am particularly proud of our efforts to advance the research workforce. Our K Scholar alumni and past pilot awardees continue to show the lasting impact of our mentorship, with over $25 million in extramural funding secured or under review this past year. Our T32 pre-doctoral program has seen significant gains in student research proficiency, and our educational events reached more than 400 unique attendees across 30 different institutions or organizations. Furthermore, our team was instrumental in the development and launch of the new Research Ecosystems minor which debuted in the fall of 2025, providing VCU undergraduate students with a direct pathway into the complexities of clinical and translational science.
I am also very proud of the community engaged research collaboration with the Virginia State Government through the Opioid Abatement Authority, where we are working with Virginia cities and counties to have a real impact on health.
Of course, 2025 had its share of challenges that I know impacted every single member of our team. However, I was inspired by how this team turned those challenges into opportunities. Instead of slowing down, we took those delays and uncertainties as opportunities to streamline our internal processes and to strengthen our ties with partner institutions like VSU, EVMS and ODU through new mentorship and collaboration initiatives.
Successes like these are only possible through the combined efforts of our diverse cores. From the infrastructure provided by Informatics, to the critical support from Research Resources and Services, your work is essential to our mission. Whether you are driving Community-Engaged Research, managing Clinical & Translational Science Pilots, or leading Workforce Development and Education, every module played a vital part in our collective impact. Your resilience and dedication are the reasons the Wright Center remains a cornerstone of translational science in our region.
Thank you for everything you do. I look forward to another year of breaking barriers together.
Warmly,
F. Gerard “Gerry” Moeller, M.D. Director, VCU Wright Center for Clinical and Translational Research
Categories Impact