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
Trump Administration Issues Executive Order to Advance Women’s Health Research and Care
- On October 19, 2026, President Trump signed an executive order aimed at improving women’s health outcomes across the lifespan by strengthening federal research coordination and accelerating the translation of scientific discoveries into clinical practice.
- The order directs the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to establish a Women’s Health Division within 90 days to advance research on conditions that uniquely or disproportionately affect women, improve their representation in clinical trials and strengthen consideration of sex as a biological variable in federally funded research. It also establishes a White House Women’s Health Task Force to coordinate federal efforts to improve prevention, diagnosis, treatment and access to patient-centered care.
- The initiative emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, updated clinical education and integration of preventive and coordinated care across primary care, specialty care and behavioral health settings. Read the full announcement here.