This month, the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health Department of Radiology website featured our own Dr. Alan B. McMillan in a new article reflecting on his role as co-director for the UW–Madison Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (ICTR) Pilot Awards Program. Having been in the position for his first six months, Dr. McMillan shares his unique perspective on fostering innovation across the university.
In the interview, Dr. McMillan discusses his journey from being a recipient of an ICTR pilot award in 2015 to now co-leading the very same program. He describes how that early grant was a “catalyst” for his own research and speaks to the profound importance of pilot funding as the “lifeblood of academic research,” especially for high-risk, high-reward projects that can lead to transformative breakthroughs. The article delves into his responsibilities, the rigorous review process, and the program’s focus on translational science—a mission that aligns perfectly with our work here at MITRP to bridge the gap between laboratory discoveries and clinical applications.
We encourage you to read the full piece to learn more about his insights and the vital role the ICTR plays in our research community at the University of Wisconsin.
The full article is available on the Department of Radiology website here: https://radiology.wisc.edu/news/alan-mcmillan-reflects-on-his-role-as-ictr-pilot-awards-program-co-director/