An April open house will mark the official launch of the Dell Pediatric Research Institute: the latest measured step toward establishing a world-class academic health center, including a medical school, in Austin.
The institute—a collaboration between the University of Texas at Austin and Seton Family of Hospitals—is strategically located in the Mueller Development, near the UT campus and right across the street from Seton’s Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas. The objective is for UT researchers to mingle with Dell physicians and swap ideas about research, how it relates to practical medicine, and vice versa.
“In a sense, Dell represents a bridge between UT Austin and clinical enterprise. It is a very important step,” said Dr. Kenneth Shine, UT System executive vice chancellor for Health Affairs.
The institute, with a total projected capacity of 28 senior faculty members, is the first of several planned UT Austin research institutes on 30 acres of land at Mueller. It is a prime example of the kind of translational research activity that large biotech companies seek out when deciding where to locate.
The institute cost about $100 million to establish, including $38 million from the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation and $45 million from the UT System.