Purpose

Wadsworth Center is a science-based community committed to protecting and improving the health of New Yorkers through laboratory analysis, investigations and research, as well as laboratory certification and educational programs.
 
Scientists at Wadsworth Center:

• study public health issues, from drug resistance to emerging infections and environmental exposures;
• investigate basic biological processes that contribute to human health and disease; and
• employ modern methods, such as biomarkers of exposure, and state-of-the-art technologies, among them a resource for visualizing biologically relevant molecules
  

As the state's public health reference laboratory, Wadsworth:

• responds to public health threats;
• develops advanced methods to detect microbial agents and genetic disorders; and
• measures and analyze environmental chemicals
  

The Center also:

• operates the most comprehensive laboratory licensure program for clinical and environmental laboratories and blood and tissue banks; and
• trains the next generation of scientists through programs for doctoral, master, and undergraduate students - as well as specialized training for postdoctoral fellows and others.
  

The Wadsworth Center administers legislatively authorized extramural funding programs that support New York State investigators studying specific topics, including:

• Stem cells - New York's investment in stem cell science has already had a major impact on the research community through funding of innovative science and the establishment of a solid ethical foundation for conducting stem cell research.  To date, the Empire State Stem Cell Board has allocated $248.5 million through 12 Requests for Applications (RFAs), with awards to 194 scientific investigators at 36 institutions throughout New York State.
• Breast cancer - The New York State Health Research Science Board has supported breast cancer research studies and education projects since 1996.  Currently there are eight active contracts that total over $1 million for breast cancer research and education activities.  It is anticipated that three RFAs will be released in State Fiscal Year 2012-2013 totaling approximately $3.15 million.
  

Contact

Jill Taylor, Ph.D.
Deputy Director, Wadsworth Center
NYS Department of Health
Albany, NY 12201
(518) 474-3157