Research | VA Tuscaloosa Health Care | Veterans Affairs

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICE WELCOME! We are pleased that you are interested in the Research and Development (R&D) Service of the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center (TVAMC).  The

Tuscaloosa VAMC has a well-funded research and development program including studies in — * biomedical research * health services * clinical and cooperative studies * rehabilitation The

Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center continues to have an active and growing research program, with a primary mission to promote greater scientific, social and medical discoveries to improve the

quality of life for the Veteran population.  Significant areas of study in the research portfolio at TVAMC include:  Vocational rehabilitation, PTSD, alcohol abuse, Schizophrenia, bipolar

disorder, depression, Opioid Use Disorder, Substance Use Disorder, behavioral, Traumatic Brain Injury, dementia care, insomnia, long-term care, suicide prevention, rural health,

pharmacogenomic screening, medication assisted treatment, and organizational change. Projects may be single- or multi-site projects, prime and subawards. The research program at the TVAMC

offers volunteer participation in numerous research studies.  The types of research typically covered by the TVAMC Human Research Protection Program (HRPP) are: * clinical investigations of

the cause * evaluation * assessment * treatment * outcome of clinical medical and psychiatric illnesses Funding sources for research at TVAMC include various federal, state, industry, and

private entities.  In order to maximize research opportunities, TVAMC partners with Tuscaloosa Research and Education Advancement Corporation (TREAC), an affiliated non-profit corporation. 

TREAC acts as a flexible funding mechanism to further the development of research and education activities at TVAMC, and facilitates collaborative efforts between TVAMC, academic

institutions, other government research organizations, and private companies by administering a variety of projects.  The VA Research Program influences significantly the recruitment and

retention of highly specialized clinical staff. As of July 1, 2022, the TVAMC had 33 active research that are being conducted currently by eight researchers, which include MDs and PhDs.  The

funding sources for these projects include VA Cooperative Studies Program (CSP), Clinical Science R&D, Health Science R&D, Rehabilitation Research R&D, Medical Care Supported

Management Studies, VISN 7 Research Development Award, Veterans Care, LLC, US Department of Defense Congressionally Director Medical Research Programs and Research Triangle institute

International, University of Alabama School of Social Work [through a grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration], National institute on Aging, National Institute of

Health, Aptinyx, Philanthropy Roundtable and Investigator-initiated research. Are you interested in becoming a research participant at the Tuscaloosa VAMC? Find out, which studies are

currently recruiting participants at ClinicalTrials.gov. Have a general question or are you interested in conducting research at Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center?  Send email to

[email protected]. For more specific questions, please see the list below and contact the appropriate staff member. TUSCALOOSA RESEARCH AND EDUCATION ADVANCEMENT CORPORATION (TREAC)

Tuscaloosa Research and Education Advancement Corporation (TREAC) is a 501(c )(3) non-profit organization which was incorporated on September 27, 1991.  TREAC is affiliated with, but legally

distinct from, the Veterans Affairs Medical Center of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, authorized by Congress under USC §§7361-7366 to provide flexible funding mechanisms for the conduct of research

and education activities. To learn more about the purpose of non-profit corporations affiliated with the VA, please refer to, VHA Handbook 1200.17. Funding to support research and education

activities is provided by other government entities, such as National Institute of Health, National Institute of Mental Health, and Department of Defense, other non-profits, voluntary

agencies, industry sponsors (i.e. pharmaceutical companies), and general donations. Specific areas of interest include, but are not limited to, the neurobiology and pharmacological treatment

of posttraumatic stress disorder, major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and vocational rehabilitation outcomes for persons with PTSD. MISSION To improve the health and quality

of life of veterans through the advancement of clinical knowledge through research and education. VISION To be a premier non-profit organization contributing to high quality research and

education. VALUES DEDICATION to the pursuit of high QUALITY and ETHICAL research and education that earns and maintains the TRUST and RESPECT of veterans, and their families and other

stakeholders.