Research at the School

The University of Kansas School of Allied Health is recognized for its highly ranked educational programs where faculty conduct cutting-edge research and instill in their students a curiosity for scientific inquiry. The PhD programs in the departments of Hearing and Speech, Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy are preparing scholars who are making a difference in higher education and in applied research in the United States and throughout the world. Internationally renowned scientists at the School of Allied Health are collaborating with researchers in other schools at KU and other universities both here and abroad.

The School is 12th in NIH funding among schools of allied health in public universities; other sources of external grant funding include the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, The Rosebud Foundation, and the Freedom Fund, as well as private companies such as Dairy Management, Inc. In a highly competitive environment, faculty and their students have had an unprecedented success that has led to the current level of $14.7 million in external grant funding. The allied health professions in general have lacked the scientific evidence to base their clinical practice; therefore, our goal within the School is to increase the scientific-based evidence and thus improve clinical outcomes.

In a new bi-state initiative, the University of Kansas Medical Center is collaborating with the scientific community in the greater Kansas City metropolitan area to increase investment in life sciences research. This vision for the future includes the work of talented researchers from all of the health professions and the basic sciences. Laboratory science with clinical and translational progress is the priority for national and regional commitment of resources to biomedical research. It is critical that we are able to translate new knowledge rapidly into tangible benefits for patients and families.