VCOM 2016 Annual Report

A D V A N C I N G R E S E A R C H

and all three VCOM campuses, as well as joint research projects at VCOM international sites. Center faculty from both institutions will utilize research facilities and infrastructure at locations throughout Virginia Tech, VCOM and our international sites for a wide variety of educational, clinical and biomedical research programs conducted collaboratively within the Center. Another major feature of the Center is the central involvement of VCOM and VMCVM students in collaborative disease prevention, public health and global health research projects. Thus, a funding mechanism has been established in order to initiate and help sustain collaborations

between VMCVM and VCOM researchers.

In addition, this initiative will bring together partners within Auburn University such as engineering, veterinary medicine, and kinesiology. The partnership will also extend to Andrews Orthopaedic Education and Research Foundation. The initiative will address pre- and post-operative management, including optimization of rehabilitation to reduce pain and decrease recovery time. The application of basic principles of osteopathic medicine will be incorporated to research protocols and clinical applications. VCOM–Auburn has recently added a biomechanics engineer to its faculty to direct the Rehabilitation and Biomechanics Laboratory.

Innovation and Intellectual Property T he research department at VCOM assists researchers to protect and promote intellectual property through the patent process and to work in collaboration with outside partners to develop the marketing potential of products and ideas. Motion Analysis Research Laboratory T his is a collaborative research initiative with the Jack Hughston Foundation. VCOM which will help to facilitate motion analysis research collaborations with Hughston Clinic Orthopaedic faculty and residents.

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