Affinity Groups

Led by a tenured, NIH funded investigator, the goal of a Research Affinity Group is to:

  • Stimulate multidisciplinary collaboration and scientific interchange among basic science and clinical investigators relating to a particular disease.

  • Increase the number and scope of research related to a particular disease.

  • Maintain and enhance core facilities in support of research of a particular disease.

  • Create and nurture a milieu in support of training undergraduate and graduate students, and postdoctoral fellows in a particular disease.

  • Establish a consistent record of extramural funding.

Imaging Genomics Research Affinity Group (IG-RAG)

The Imaging Genomics Research Affinity Group facilitates cutting-edge interdisciplinary research in imaging genomics by establishing university collaborations and developing content expertise in quantitative advanced imaging, multi-omics and translational data analytics. Through research and educational meetings, visiting lectures and seed grant funding, this group promotes team science across a wide variety of clinical specialties and research centers at Nationwide Children’s, The Ohio State University and beyond, providing educational and research opportunities for physicians and scientists-in-training and establishing the reputation of Nationwide Children's as a leader in the field.

Nephrology and Urology (NURAG)

Members of the Section of Nephrology and Hypertension also participate in the Nephrology and Urology Research Affinity Group (NURAG). NURAG is composed of medical faculty, residents and fellows from the Nephrology and Urology programs at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. NURAG also includes members of the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s whose research projects focus on the fields of nephrology, urology and associated disciplines.

Blood Disease Research Affinity Group (BDRAG)

The Blood Disease Research Affinity Group (BDRAG) promotes cutting-edge collaborative research among clinical and research faculty and trainees working on blood, vascular science and related disciplines at Nationwide Children’s and The Ohio State University to positively impact the prevention and care of childhood blood diseases. BDRAG also aims to increase awareness of blood disease research on these campuses and elevate educational opportunities for trainees.

Lung Inflammation Research Affinity Group

The Lung Inflammation Research Affinity Group (LIRAG) facilitates collaboration on research that drives understanding of the mechanisms underlying lung disease broadly, with a special focus on those that involve inflammatory diseases of (or in) the lung.

Neurodevelopmental Research Affinity Group

The mission of the Neurodevelopmental Research Affinity Group is to facilitate research collaborations on neurodevelopment and neurodevelopmental disorders in children by increasing awareness of common research interests, creating new synergies in research methods, and broadening the scope and outreach of research activities.

Oral-GI Microbiology Research Affinity Group

The Oral and GI Microbiology Research Affinity Group (OGM RAG) at Nationwide Children’s Hospital will bring together like minded clinicians and basic scientists that are actively involved in research in oral and gastrointestinal microbiology as it affects human disease.

Pediatric Trauma and Burn Research Affinity Group

The mission of the Pediatric Trauma and Burn Research Affinity Group at Nationwide Children's Hospital is to facilitate team science and innovative pilot studies by establishing multidisciplinary collaborations.

Primary Care Research Network

The Nationwide Children’s Hospital Primary Care Research Network (PCRN) is a consortium of pediatric primary care practices focused on improving child health and family outcomes through high-quality research in primary care settings. Additionally, the Pediatric Primary Care Research Affinity Group (PPC-RAG) awards supplemental funding on an annual basis for collaborative projects.