Key functions of the Institute are to:

• Organize and support the development of innovative informatics research programs
• Offer fellowships, pre-doctoral and post-doctoral training to students, faculty and others who wish to work on informatics projects related to research, education and patient care
• Collaborate with the Schools and Departments to strengthen existing educational courses and programs in informatics and their integration across UMDNJ Schools
• Organize seminars, symposia and related activities in informatics to augment knowledge, understanding, and support of informatics within and beyond the University community
• Foster potential collaborations with academic, government and corporate partners in the area of informatics

The University-wide Informatics Institute was established by the Board of Trustees of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey on March 20, 2001 to integrate and strengthen informatics activities across the Schools of the University.

The Institute seeks to advance biomedical research, educate scientists, and enhance clinical practice through Innovation in the broad disciplines that comprise Informatics.

In addition to University resources, the Institute is supported by a five-year, $2.8 million Integrated Advanced Information Management Systems (IAIMS) Grant from the National Library of Medicine. Initial funding of the University's Bioinformatics Graduate Concentration for academic years 2000 through 2003 came from a $2.3 million High Technology Workforce Excellence (HTWE) Grant from the State of New Jersey. That grant supported us in recruiting faculty, aiding students, and funding dedicated informatics computing facilities.

The Institute’s Director, William J. Welsh, Ph.D., is Professor of Pharmacology at the UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, where he holds the Norman H. Edelman Professorship in Bioinformatics. He is assisted in his role as Director of the Institute by three Associate Directors, for Education, Clinical Informatics and Research. Dr. Welsh reports to the University’s chief academic officer, Dr. Robert Saporito, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs.

We invite interested visitors to explore our site and, as appropriate, contact us about participating as a student, member, collaborator, or sponsor.