Facilitating a Vision for Research

Dr. Susan Hamilton

Even at a 7 a.m. meeting to discuss a transformational grant, Dr. Susan Hamilton's enthusiasm for Baylor College of Medicine, her colleagues' opinions and even their disagreements does not wane. The give-and-take at the large roundtable stimulates new ideas and increases morale.

"The vision for research at an institution like this one should never be that of one person just because he or she is the dean or president. It should be a collective vision. That's the way I run my department, and it's the way I approach this job. There's a lot of wisdom at this institution, and there's a lot of enthusiasm. I love that," she said.

Hamilton was chair of BCM's department of molecular physiology and biophysics when she agreed to become the school's dean of research and senior vice president in November 2008. Part of her goal is to create a continuing strategic plan for the College's research enterprise.

Hamilton came to Baylor College of Medicine in 1985, already aware of the College's record in basic science. With an undergraduate degree from Indiana University, a doctorate in biophysics from the University of Colorado Medical Center in Denver and postdoctoral work at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, she had moved to The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston as an assistant professor. When the chair of her department moved to the College, he asked her to come as well.

"I agreed primarily because of Baylor's reputation," she said. "It was so compelling you wanted to be a part of it."

She also knew she could bring an important set of skills with her. Her laboratory focuses on skeletal muscle excitation-contraction coupling and the human diseases that occur when it goes wrong. In pursuing that work, she forged a new path of collaboration, one she continued to follow after being named chair of her department in 2004. Her leadership started a vision of collaboration in research and education that began the evolution of the school's research process.

It is the marriage of those two—the opportunity at BCM and her own abilities and research goals—that kept her here. When she was asked to assume her current role, she could not refuse.

"I took the job as a representative of the basic science chairs to advise the interim president," she said. "I view my job in that way still. I am the link between the basic science chairs and the president."

Of course, the job has expanded, and she has taken a new look at the way research is carried out at BCM. In a way, it builds on programs she had already spearheaded, in particular the Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine Ph.D. program that seeks to train researchers in the basics of translational medicine.

"I'm excited about building the infrastructure for clinical and translational research," she said. That effort has taken hold in the faculty and a group has expended a considerable amount of time in thinking about how to transform the College's clinical enterprise in that direction. It not only mirrors federal efforts but it also meets the needs of researchers, physicians and the patients whom they hope to benefit.

"That's part of this job," said Hamilton. "I'm supposed to start thinking forward."

"Dr. Hamilton's initiative and creative approach to her role as dean has energized our researchers and institutional leaders, engaging them in the process of transforming our scientific enterprise," said Dr. William T. Butler, interim president of Baylor College of Medicine.

At regular meetings, she and other college leaders are looking toward the future and how best to create an infrastructure for clinical and translational research. Her enthusiasm for the project is clear.

"It's not the initial reason I took the job, but it's probably the reason I've stayed," she said.

"There's a lot of wisdom at this institution, and there's a lot of enthusiasm. I love that."
– Dr. Susan L. Hamilton

"Physiology was built on the premise that we would bring in talented young scientists studying disease processes and could reach beyond the department," she said. That prompts the building of teams that bridge departmental divides.

"Baylor has created something unique," said Hamilton. "Now we are taking advantage of that and bringing different areas together."

She sees a work in progress that promises to improve health care by enabling members of the College to work together more effectively. There's a synergism that can build strong teams to tackle critical problems in biomedical research.

Much of the early days of biomedical discovery involved the work of a single scientist, but today's science is more a team effort.

"In some aspects of science, a single researcher can still make a major impact," she said. "The clinical translational area requires broader vision and expertise. It goes beyond what a single person can bring to the table. You need to bring in disciplines beyond our traditional boundaries. We are looking to Rice University for chemistry, math and physics and some of the social sciences."

A familiar phrase in science is "get rid of the silos." Hamilton does not think that means getting rid of traditional departments.

"I've heard our faculty say that departments are a thing of the past," she said.

Sophia and Tommie Leon with Dr. Hamilton

Three years ago, then 15-year-old Tommie Leon and his mother Sophia (left) met with Hamilton to discuss her work and how it relates to his rare inherited condition called central core disease. She and the Leons have kept in contact as the research has progressed.

"I don't think that's true. We need to recognize them for what they are. They are a home for mentoring and education, but the science is bigger than the departments. We need to recognize that. When one department is recruiting an individual, its leadership need to recognize that they should invite other departments to take part in defining the position and help recruit someone who can fulfill our mission."

Science is becoming a two-way street, and Hamilton's role is, in part, to direct traffic.

"Separating basic science from clinical science is a mistake. That line no longer exists. Translation makes those overlapping spheres that do not exist in isolation. They overlap and are synergistic. Research at a medical school and a medical center should be directed at improving human health. We build on work in the laboratory—in tissue culture and in insects and translate that into mammalian systems and, ultimately, humans. The best situation is where each part of the scientific enterprise knows what other people are doing."

"It wouldn't be unheard of to have a clinician say we are using this drug and we think it blocks synaptic transmission. Could you test it in fruit flies? It's not a basic to clinical path. It goes both ways."

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Volume 5, Issue 1, Winter 2009


	Facilitating a Vision for Research by Ruth SoRelle, M.P.H. Dr. Susan Hamilton Even at a 7 a.m. meeting to discuss a transformational grant, Dr. Susan Hamilton's enthusiasm for Baylor College of Medicine, her colleagues' opinions and even their disagreements does not wane. The give-and-take at the large roundtable stimulates new ideas and increases morale. "The vision for research at an institution like this one should never be that of one person just because he or she is the dean or president. It should be a collective vision. That's the way I run my department, and it's the way I approach this job. There's a lot of wisdom at this institution, and there's a lot of enthusiasm. I love that," she said. Hamilton was chair of BCM's department of molecular physiology and biophysics when she agreed to become the school's dean of research and senior vice president in November 2008. Part of her goal is to create a continuing strategic plan for the College's research enterprise. Hamilton came to Baylor College of Medicine in 1985, already aware of the College's record in basic science. With an undergraduate degree from Indiana University, a doctorate in biophysics from the University of Colorado Medical Center in Denver and postdoctoral work at the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, she had moved to The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston as an assistant professor. When the chair of her department moved to the College, he asked her to come as well. "I agreed primarily because of Baylor's reputation," she said. "It was so compelling you wanted to be a part of it." She also knew she could bring an important set of skills with her. Her laboratory focuses on skeletal muscle excitation-contraction coupling and the human diseases that occur when it goes wrong. In pursuing that work, she forged a new path of collaboration, one she continued to follow after being named chair of her department in 2004. Her leadership started a vision of collaboration in research and education that began the evolution of the school's research process. It is the marriage of those two—the opportunity at BCM and her own abilities and research goals—that kept her here. When she was asked to assume her current role, she could not refuse. "I took the job as a representative of the basic science chairs to advise the interim president," she said. "I view my job in that way still. I am the link between the basic science chairs and the president." Of course, the job has expanded, and she has taken a new look at the way research is carried out at BCM. In a way, it builds on programs she had already spearheaded, in particular the Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine Ph.D. program that seeks to train researchers in the basics of translational medicine. That effort has diversified across fields and within the institution. "I'm excited about building the infrastructure for clinical and translational research," she said. That effort has taken hold in the faculty and a group has expended a considerable amount of time in thinking about how to transform the College's clinical enterprise in that direction. It not only mirrors federal efforts but it also meets the needs of researchers, physicians and the patients whom they hope to benefit. "That's part of this job," said Hamilton. "I'm supposed to start thinking forward." "Dr. Hamilton's initiative and creative approach to her role as dean has energized our researchers and institutional leaders, engaging them in the process of transforming our scientific enterprise," said Dr. William T. Butler, interim president of Baylor College of Medicine. At regular meetings, she and other college leaders are looking toward the future and how best to create an infrastructure for clinical and translational research. Her enthusiasm for the project is clear. "It's not the initial reason I took the job, but it's probably the reason I've stayed," she said. "There's a lot of wisdom at this institution, and there's a lot of enthusiasm. I love that." – Dr. Susan L. Hamilton Bridging research divides comes naturally to Hamilton. "Physiology was built on the premise that we would bring in talented young scientists studying disease processes and could reach beyond the department," she said. That prompts the building of teams that bridge departmental divides. "Baylor has created something unique," said Hamilton. "Now we are taking advantage of that and bringing different areas together." She sees a work in progress that promises to improve health care by enabling members of the College to work together more effectively. There's a synergism that can build strong teams to tackle critical problems in biomedical research. Much of the early days of biomedical discovery involved the work of a single scientist, but today's science is more a team effort. "In some aspects of science, a single researcher can still make a major impact," she said. "The clinical translational area requires broader vision and expertise. It goes beyond what a single person can bring to the table. You need to bring in disciplines beyond our traditional boundaries. We are looking to Rice University for chemistry, math and physics and some of the social sciences." A familiar phrase in science is "get rid of the silos." Hamilton does not think that means getting rid of traditional departments. "I've heard our faculty say that departments are a thing of the past," she said. Three years ago, then 15-year-old Tommie Leon and his mother Sophia (left) met with Hamilton to discuss her work and how it relates to his rare inherited condition called central core disease. She and the Leons have kept in contact as the research has progressed. "I don't think that's true. We need to recognize them for what they are. They are a home for mentoring and education, but the science is bigger than the departments. We need to recognize that. When one department is recruiting an individual, its leadership need to recognize that they should invite other departments to take part in defining the position and help recruit someone who can fulfill our mission." Science is becoming a two-way street, and Hamilton's role is, in part, to direct traffic. "Separating basic science from clinical science is a mistake. That line no longer exists. Translation makes those overlapping spheres that do not exist in isolation. They overlap and are synergistic. Research at a medical school and a medical center should be directed at improving human health. We build on work in the laboratory—in tissue culture and in insects and translate that into mammalian systems and, ultimately, humans. The best situation is where each part of the scientific enterprise knows what other people are doing." She envisions a place where the exchange is bidirectional. "It wouldn't be unheard of to have a clinician say we are using this drug and we think it blocks synaptic transmission. Could you test it in fruit flies? It's not a basic to clinical path. It goes both ways." Ending isolation means direct communication. Hamilton's role is to start that conversation. Hamilton holds the L.F. McCollum Chair in Molecular Physiology.		Search all issues: Features Giving Elephants a Fighting Chance Facilitating a Vision for Research Integrating Care Around the Patient Baylor Flu Fighters Take On the Wily "Novel H1N1" (Swine) Flu Virus News New Board Chair has High Hopes for BCM Lynch: A Physician-Teacher with a Humanitarian Twist Spotlight Dr. Sean McGuire: Translating Early Lessons into Tomorrow's Treatment Simulated Patient Program Important Part of Medical Training Adding Value to Medical School Training Catalyzing Innovative Research is Mantra for BCM Diabetes Center A Coordinated Effort to Improve Health Care Briefs BCM Researchers Top Texas List of Stimulus Funds Recipients Wang Recognized for Contributions to Genetic Research Dr. Brendan Lee Receives Director's Transformative R01 A Cocaine Vaccine 'Pioneer' Studies Bacteria to Understand Cancer Dr. Mark Kline Selected Chair of Pediatrics Herding DNA to a New Understanding of Cows Development/Alumni Baylor Alumni Help Ease the Financial Burdens of Current Students Development Briefs Alkek Eye Center Celebrates 20th Year Partnership Gala To Fund DeBakey Heart Center® of Baylor College of Medicine Breast Center Advisory Council Funds Imaging Fellow Bra Art Displayed as Fundraiser Promise of Research Solid in Baylor's Future

	Volume 5, Issue 1, Winter 2009



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