SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Upstate Medical University and Binghamton University want to collaborate on more projects. 

The schools have signed an agreement to jointly “pursue sponsored funding opportunities and develop solutions to today’s pressing medical problems.”

Upstate Medical signed the pact with Binghamton University’s Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science. The agreement seeks to “strengthen ties between the two schools and encourage closer research collaborations,” per the Upstate Medical announcement. 

The memorandum of understanding covers a five-year time period with renewals possible beyond 2027, Upstate said.

“This important agreement exemplifies the power of SUNY as we formally partner with the talented faculty at Binghamton University to supercharge our research aimed at improving the human condition,” Dr. Mantosh Dewan, president of Upstate Medical University, said. “This far-reaching relationship also will benefit Upstate’s clinical mission with access to Binghamton’s systems excellence experts leading to greater efficiencies for our hospitals.”

The schools are currently exploring research areas that include neuroscience, brain imaging, digital pathology, cancer research, and bone-tissue engineering. 

Under a pilot research-grant program that is part of the partnership, collaborative research could receive seed grants of up to $20,000 to help pay for preliminary research “in pursuit of external funding,” Upstate Medical said. 

The two institutions have already submitted joint research proposals to the National Science Foundation (NSF) and are exploring proposals to the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

“Binghamton University and Upstate Medical have complementary skills and goals, so this partnership has benefits for both of us,” Harvey Stenger, president of Harvey Stenger, said. “Together, we can pursue leading-edge innovations in biomedical and health systems research that will improve all of our lives. I look forward to seeing what we can achieve through our cooperative efforts.”

Watson College this past May hosted Dr. Satish Krishnamurthy, chair of neurosurgery at Upstate Medical University, for a Watson Distinguished Colloquium seminar as the first of a joint seminar series that both institutions co-hosted under this partnership.

The agreement also provides Watson faculty greater access to Upstate’s core facilities, biosamples, clinical data, and access to human-subject research. At the same time, Upstate’s researchers will have access to Binghamton University’s Health Sciences core facility.

In addition to collaborative research pursuits aimed at extramural funding, the Watson Institute for Systems Excellence (WISE) will provide its expertise to improve operational efficiencies and performance at Upstate’s hospitals. The Watson College Continuing Professional Education Program also will offer Lean Six Sigma (LSS) training for Upstate Medical’s hospital staff.