By
Richard Clark
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Former Emory prof to head up new dept
With the appointment of a director, the creation of a liver institute that will perform clinical lab research is another step closer to being a reality.
The goal of the program, which is starting with two people and one lab, is "to create an international program that does both basic and clinical research in the area of chronic liver disease," said Thomas Boyer, a liver transplant physician and hepatology specialist.
A blend of clinical and lab research allows the researchers to develop new therapies and approaches for treatment in the University Medical Center.
Boyer sits on the board of directors for the American Association for the Study of Liver Disease.
Funding for the institute comes from a combination of state and National Institute of Health funding.
The Legislature is providing $10 million for the next 20 years. A renewable grant rewarded by the National Institute for Health to Boyer 17 years ago will provide an additional $250,000 annually.
Boyer, formerly a professor of medicine at Emory University in Atlanta, Ga., said he expects more research money to be added to the budget as faculty are brought into the institute.
The funding structure for the institute made the opportunity attractive to Boyer.
"It is a unique situation, it provides a firm basis to build on," said Boyer.
Boyer is being joined by Richard Whalen, also from Emory, who will oversee the lab research portion of the institute.
Whalen said he is expecting the institute to grow into a well-respected research and treatment facility.
"There will be time to get more funded research," said Whalen. "It is going to be the premier treatment facility in Arizona."
Both graduate and undergraduate students will be allowed to participate as researchers in the lab.
The institute will take over some of the rooms vacated when the cardiology department moves into the Sarver Heart Center.
Until the rooms can be renovated, the institute will use temporary facilities in UMC.
In addition to the institute, Boyer will join the faculty of the UA medical school as an instructor.
