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Office of Translational Research

  • What is Translational Research?
    Translational research has been defined differently by the Institutes within the NIH. A number of other definitions of translational research can be found on the Web. Whether the emphasis of the definition is on a population or an individual scale, all translational research definitions share the idea that the goal of translation is to ensure that results of scientific research will be used to directly benefit human health.

    The NIEHS defines translational research as the conversion of environmental health research into information, resources, or tools that can be used by public health and medical professionals and by the public to improve overall health and well-being, especially in vulnerable populations.

  • Definitions from NIH Institutes
    National Cancer Institute (NCI) (http://www.cancer.gov/trwg/TRWG-definition-and-TR-continuum) Exit NIEHS: "Translational research transforms scientific discoveries arising from laboratory, clinical, or population studies into clinical applications to reduce cancer incidence, morbidity, and mortality."

    National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-05-158.html) Exit NIEHS: "Translational research is the process of applying ideas, insights, and discoveries generated through basic scientific inquiry to the treatment or prevention of human disease."

    National Institute National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Diseases (NIDCD) (http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-08-017.html) Exit NIEHS: "Translational research is the application of discoveries from basic biomedical and behavioral research toward the diagnosis, treatment or prevention of human disease, with the ultimate goal of improving public health."

The Office of Translational Research (OTR) directs NIEHS activities related to translational research, which transforms scientific discoveries arising from laboratory, clinical, or population studies into clinical or population-based applications to improve health by reducing disease incidence, morbidity, and mortality. Within the context of the NIEHS, this encompasses a broad spectrum of endeavors emerging directly from goals identified in the Institute’s 2006–2011 Strategic Plan. Five major components comprise the OTR’s portfolio of responsibilities: translational research, public-private partnerships, education and training, global environmental health, and Environmental Health Perspectives(http://www.ehponline.org/).

Dr. William J. Martin II, Associate Director for Translational Research
William J. Martin II, M.D.
Associate Director, NIEHS
Director, Office of Translational Research






Tel (919) 541-4878
Fax (919) 541-7706
wjmartin@niehs.nih.gov
P.O. Box 12233
Mail Drop B2-07
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709
Delivery Instructions

William J. Martin II, M.D., is the Associate Director for Translational Research and head of the Lung Injury and Repair Group (http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/atniehs/labs/lrb/lung-inj/index.cfm) within the Laboratory of Respiratory Biology. He received his MD from the University of Minnesota in 1974, and completed his pulmonary and critical care training at the Mayo Clinic in 1979. Following completion of his research training in the Pulmonary Branch at the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, he joined the staff of the Mayo Clinic as a clinician-investigator. Martin served as the dean of the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, and is a past president of the American Thoracic Society. He also served as the director of pulmonary and critical care at Indiana University for 12 years before becoming the executive associate dean for clinical affairs at the university's School of Medicine. He has authored more than 130 research and clinical papers, and has been an NIH-funded scientist for the past 24 years.

Dr. Martin's work for the NIEHS is focused on:

  • Translational Research
  • Oversight of the NIEHS Journal, Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP)
  • Global Environmental Health

Scientific and Support Staff


Lindsay Lloyd
Administrative Specialist
Tel (919) 541-3023
Fax (919) 541-7706
lloyd3@niehs.nih.gov



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This page URL: http://www.niehs.nih.gov/about/od/otr/index.cfm
NIEHS website: http://www.niehs.nih.gov/
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Last Reviewed: May 05, 2008