Biomedical Research
Osteopathic and allopathic physicians and scientific investigators conduct biomedical research to understand the causes of diseases and to develop treatments and preventive measures to advance patient care and safety. While biomedical research has led to many years of groundbreaking treatments, it is needed more now than ever as new diseases emerge that threaten the health and safety of various populations.
Are you interested in becoming an osteopathic physician-scientist? Explore the career option of an osteopathic physician-scientist and the biomedical research programs available through the member colleges of the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) that are training the next generation of scientists and physicians.
- The Importance of Physician-Scientists in Today’s Medicine
- Osteopathic Physician-Scientist Training
- Osteopathic Physician-Scientist Training Programs by State
- Key Resources for Prospective and Current Physician-Scientist Students
Building Communities
AACOM has several councils, committees and special interest or affinity groups comprised of faculty, administrators, staff, students, physicians and other professionals in the osteopathic medical community who work in biomedical research or support scientific investigators at their colleges of osteopathic medicine (COMs).
Group members receive benefits such as leadership and professional development, networking opportunities, collaboration and recommendations rooted in evidence-based outcomes on how to improve or advance biomedical research programs at their COMs.
Consider joining one of these vital AACOM groups.
Osteopathic Physician-Scientists Engagement Network (OPEN)
This AACOM interest group, composed of administrators, physician-scientists, DO/PhD program directors and trainees, supports and promotes the development and nurturing of physician-scientists by representing the interests of DO/PhD programs and research-focused osteopathic physicians and trainees throughout the continuum of their research careers.
Council of Osteopathic Researchers (COR)
AACOM's Council of Osteopathic Researchers (COR) supports and coordinates medical education research efforts, focusing on teaching/learning issues as well as institutional research at osteopathic medical schools.
Recent Research News
NIH Director Bhattacharya Recognizes Osteopathic Value
On May 29, 2025, Dixie Tooke-Rawlins, DO, president of the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, and Julie Crockett, AACOM director of government relations, represented AACOM at a leadership roundtable hosted by National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Jay Bhattacharya, MD, PhD.
Delivering the final question, Dr. Tooke-Rawlins powerfully emphasized the osteopathic profession’s value, noting that:
Colleges of osteopathic medicine (COMs) educate more than 38,000 future physicians—nearly 30 percent of all U.S. medical students—across 69 campuses nationwide.
Despite this significant contribution, COMs receive just 0.1 percent of NIH research funding, while allopathic institutions receive 42 percent.
Of the 462 seats across NIH’s National Advisory Councils, only three are held by DOs.
In response, Dr. Bhattacharya concluded the meeting by recognizing the importance of including DOs in NIH research, stating, “Their [DO] participation will make science better.”