Dr. Coulter is inaugural director of Pediatric Cancer Research Group

Don Coulter, M.D., has been named the first director of the Pediatric Cancer Research Group (PCRG) at UNMC.

Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D., chancellor of UNMC and the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and Ann Anderson Berry, M.D., Ph.D., interim executive director of the Child Health Research Institute (CHRI), made the announcement. Dr. Coulter’s appointment was effective on Jan. 1.

As director of the Pediatric Cancer Research Group, Dr. Coulter will be responsible for enhancing the UNMC and Children’s Hospital & Medical Center environments for research and academic achievement for faculty, students and residents in pediatric cancer research.

His primary role is to direct the PCRG and facilitate pediatric cancer research within the group, with Children’s Hospital & Medical Center, across all NU system campuses and with external collaborators worldwide.

“The Pediatric Cancer Research Group has been around since 2014, and to have a position like this clarified is a testament to the hard work being done by its investigators,” Dr. Coulter said. “These researchers have been advancing investigations into pediatric cancer not only here at UNMC, but also at UNO and Children’s Hospital & Medical Center. To be able to assist in that group’s success is something that I’m honored to be able to do.

“I’m also appreciative of the belief in this group, as seen from the support from the state legislators, donors, the community at large and our chancellor.”

Dr. Coulter’s additional duties include:

• Creation of an atmosphere for cutting-edge, world class research within the PCRG;
• Management and administration of all operations of the PCRG, including its Core Lab;
• Ensuring that the strategic plan of CHRI is supported by the goals and vision of the PCRG, and working with the CHRI on recruitment and retention of cancer research faculty and support staff;
• Overseeing the finances to ensure stability for the PCRG, overseeing the production of annual public and private reports, and identifying future funding sources, either through grants or philanthropic activities;
• Developing an efficient, effective and compliant process of awarding pilot funding grants, including the utilization of a multi-disciplinary grant review team, applications and award letters; and
• Networking and interacting with other university research groups, including leadership of the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, to create collaborative interdisciplinary programs.