Windber Research Institute
| Company type | Non-profit organization |
|---|---|
| Industry | Biomedical research |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Founder | Nicholas Jacobs, Richard Somiari |
| Headquarters | Windber , United States |
Key people | Nicholas Jacobs (inaugural president), Richard Somiari (first Scientific Director, Chief Scientific Officer, COO) |
| Products | Tissue banking, biomedical informatics, diagnostic services (mammography, ultrasound imaging, PET/CT scanning, MRI) |
| Website | www |
Windber Research Institute (WRI), presently known as the Chan Soon-Shiong Institute of Molecular Medicine at Windber, is a privately operated, non-profit organization dedicated to biomedical research with an emphasis on women's health, cardiovascular conditions, and the aging process. Situated in Windber, Pennsylvania, the institute was established in 2001. Nicholas Jacobs served as the inaugural president and co-founder, while Dr. Richard Somiari co-founded the institute and held the roles of first Scientific Director, Chief Scientific Officer, and Chief Operating Officer.
Description
The research at WRI primarily involves tissue banking and the comprehensive storage of clinical, molecular (including genomic and proteomic), and imaging datasets, complemented by biomedical informatics techniques for effective data analysis and interpretation.
In partnership with Walter Reed Army Medical Center through the Clinical Breast Care Program, WRI manages a collection exceeding 14,000 meticulously annotated breast tissue specimens that combine extensive molecular profiles with imaging data. Research efforts currently concentrate on tumor heterogeneity, disease classification, environmental and lifestyle risk influences, ethnic variability, and biomarker discovery to tackle clinical complexities.
Additionally, WRI assesses lifestyle intervention initiatives—such as nutritional guidance, stress reduction strategies, physical activity, and group support systems—to mitigate cardiovascular risk factors, manage obesity, and influence diabetes outcomes within the Ornish Lifestyle Program implemented at Windber.
The institute's diagnostic services encompass digital and traditional mammography, 4-D ultrasound imaging, 16-slice PET/CT scanning, and 3T high-definition MRI technology, all integrated with clinical and molecular data repositories.
In 2015, a strategic alliance was formed between Windber Medical Center, WRI, and the Chan Soon-Shiong Institute of Molecular Medicine—established by Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong and Michelle Chan—creating a unified healthcare entity focused on advancing precision oncology research and therapeutic approaches.