Beyond the Classroom: Empowering Universities to Develop Translational Research for Health Equity

Universities have direct connections to the marginalized communities they serve; thus, it is critically important that they engage in research on the disparate health outcomes within those communities.

While many universities teach biology, biochemistry, or public health, far fewer have functioning research laboratories dedicated to clinical or translational research. Especially at Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), and regional public universities, students may graduate with degrees in science or medicine without ever setting foot in a lab that tests blood samples, performs genomic sequencing, or processes clinical trial data.

This educational gap isn’t just an academic issue. It’s a public health emergency.

Without direct access to research infrastructure, these universities cannot pursue federal grants, participate in multicenter trials, or train the next generation of investigators. And when those institutions serve communities already disproportionately burdened by chronic disease, environmental toxins, or access gaps, the absence of translational research becomes a barrier to health equity.

Now, more than ever, that barrier is growing. Recent reductions in NIH research support, including the elimination of transformative workforce and diversity programs like MARC, U-RISE, and G-RISE, are leaving institutions across the country scrambling. Without new funding mechanisms, many schools face the loss of research faculty, stalled doctoral programs, and diminished ability to contribute to national public health objectives.

A Framework of Translational Research for Health Equity

Translational research bridges the gap between academic discovery and community health outcomes. It brings "bench to bedside" science into real-world clinical practice through diagnostic innovation, treatment development, and community-level implementation science.

But this framework only works when universities have:

• Physical laboratories with next-generation equipment

• Operational infrastructure to manage clinical studies, biobanking, and IRB oversight

• Data systems that can securely analyze and report findings

• Community engagement programs that guide ethical and culturally sensitive research practices

These aren’t “nice to haves.” For underserved and underrepresented communities, they’re the foundation of rebuilding trust in science and medicine. When local universities conduct research with, not just about, their communities, they create space for shared decision-making and culturally attuned care.

Rebuilding Research Ecosystems After Federal Cuts

The reduction of indirect funding and the discontinuation of multiple NIH programs have left a vacuum, especially in institutions that never had full-scale labs to begin with. Now is the moment for innovative partnerships that can rebuild research capacity from the ground up.

Imagine a campus where:

• A Pell-eligible undergraduate student gets hands-on training sequencing patient samples for pharmacogenomic trials.

• A public health major works alongside community health workers to co-design studies targeting maternal health disparities in Black and Hispanic neighborhoods.

• A biomedical graduate student leads a pilot study on AI-driven diagnostics for early cancer detection right from their university’s own translational lab.

When universities are equipped to conduct these kinds of studies in-house and not just author papers about them, they become engines of equity. They shift from passive teaching institutions to active contributors to precision medicine, diagnostics, and community engagement.

Clinical Research Builds Trust When Communities See Themselves in the Science

Translational research isn't just about bringing new solutions to market; it is an opportunity to innovate to change lives and build trust within our communities.

It’s no secret: historically marginalized communities often distrust the research enterprise. This distrust has deep roots in exclusion, exploitation, and systemic bias. But one of the most effective ways to rebuild that trust is proximity.

When a university houses a lab that serves its community by offering diagnostic testing, hosting town halls, enrolling local residents in research, or providing job opportunities, it becomes a visible, accessible extension of care.

It says: “This science is for us.”

And that matters. Because health equity isn’t just about who receives care; it’s also about who creates the knowledge that drives it.

Phronetik’s Vision for Translational Research at MSIs

At Phronetik, we envision a future where no university, especially those serving communities of color or low-income populations, is left behind in the biomedical revolution. That’s why our Next-Generation Laboratory Deployment Model offers turnkey precision medicine labs to campuses at no capital cost. We handle the buildout, equipment, and staffing, while partnering with the institution to pursue joint grants, clinical trials, and educational programs.

Our goal isn’t just to build labs. It’s to build trust, capacity, and sustainable equity so that every student, every researcher, and every patient has the tools they need to drive better outcomes for their communities.

A Call to Action — Equip Institutions. Empower Communities.

At a time when the federal government is pulling back on research investments, it’s time for forward-thinking universities to step up, and for partners like Phronetik to walk alongside them.

The next generation of scientists, clinicians, and community leaders is already on your campus. All they need is access to the lab.

Let’s build it together.

Join Us in Shaping the Future of Healthcare

At Phronetik, we believe that groundbreaking healthcare solutions should be accessible to everyone. Whether you're a researcher, healthcare provider, policymaker, or community advocate, you can be part of this transformative movement. Let’s work together to create a healthcare system where Precision Medicine and Genomics Research benefit all, not just a few.

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