Bucknell-Geisinger Research Initiative

More BGRI Information

• Objectives of the Initiative

  The BGRI creates a formal inter-institutional mechanism and the infrastructure needed to encourage and expand the joint research and educational programs between Bucknell and Geisinger. By providing leadership, infrastructure, advocacy, coordination and funding support, the initiative nurtures research and educational programs that link the individual strengths of Bucknell and Geisinger, and have the potential to contribute to the advancement of health care in the region and beyond.

  The initiative will provide advocacy, coordination and funding support for research and educational collaborations between Bucknell University and the Geisinger Health System.

   

• Research Themes

  The initiative is focused on a flexible set of general themes, which are both highly relevant to modern healthcare and inclusive of both organizations' scholarly, research, pedagogical and developmental agendas. Examples of such themes, within which Bucknell and Geisinger are currently interacting, include:

  Medical Devices and Processes

  Due to the strong dependence of modern healthcare practices on scientific and engineering technology, Bucknell engineers and scientists can collaborate with Geisinger physicians and researchers to develop improved and novel technologies and processes. Emphasis areas may include faculty-physician research, student design projects and summer internships. Continued support of technology development is critical to increasing the likelihood of direct effects on current and future healthcare practices.

  Neuroscience

  Neuroscience research and education are strengths at both institutions, with particular emphasis on neurodevelopmental processes involved in normal brain development as well as abnormal development associated with autism, other developmental disabilities and cancers affecting the brain and nervous system.

  Operations Research

  Operations research is an interdisciplinary field of applied mathematics, engineering and sciences that uses analytical methods, including mathematical modeling, statistics and algorithms to improve operational decisions.

  Bioinformatics and Biostatistics

  Geisinger is a very large, data-rich healthcare system, with advanced health information technology, including electronic health records and a clinical data warehouse. There is a tremendous research and educational opportunity to leverage the vast operations, financial, clinical and genomics data for re-engineering healthcare to improve outcomes and reduce costs.

  Community and Regional Health Issues

  The economic, social and cultural dimensions of healthcare systems and their response to ongoing community, regional and national issues are increasingly important areas of research and programming.
  

   

• Structure of the Initiative

  The BGRI offers a wide range of opportunities for members of each organization. The following components are viewed as core elements.

  Shared Faculty and Staff

  Central to the initiative's mission is the expansion of joint appointments at Bucknell and Geisinger, allowing both organizations access to individuals with the capacity and desire to teach while conducting primary research within the areas targeted by both organizations. In addition to full-time appointments that accommodate a wide spectrum of teaching and research commitments, the initiative creates the capacity to sponsor 'teaching post-doc' opportunities as well as additional inter-institutional 'sabbatical' scholars-in-residence.

  Enhancing and Expanding Relationships

  In addition to supporting already identified areas of collaboration, the initiative provides various support mechanisms and opportunities for seeding professional relationships between Bucknell faculty and Geisinger associates. Due to the dynamic nature of the healthcare field, the long-term impact and focus of the initiative will depend heavily upon continually emerging and evolving ties between Bucknell faculty and Geisinger associates.

  External Relationships

  Jointly leveraging the large number of Bucknell alumni employed at healthcare-related corporations and organizations and Geisinger's numerous medical device and supplier networks provides a significant opportunity for cross-institutional efforts to focus on state-of-the-art healthcare related topics. Additionally, these networks enhance professional opportunities for Bucknell students and faculty as well as Geisinger associates.
  

   

• Find a Collaborator

  An important part of the BGRI’s mission is to serve as a clearinghouse that can foster future research collaborations between Bucknell faculty and Geisinger researchers, clinicians and trainees. If you are interested in posting information relating to your research interests, please submit a brief description of your project(s) or research foci, highlighting specific areas in which such a collaboration would be welcome. In addition, feel free to include a CV and links to sites you feel would be useful. Send inquiries to the office of sponsored projects at Bucknell and/or Geisinger.

  Find a Geisinger clinical investigator