Research

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The VA San Diego Healthcare System’s Research & Development Service is one of the largest research programs in the Department of Veterans Affairs. Several VASDHS investigators have received the William S. Middleton Award – the highest national VA research award – for their cutting edge and influential contributions to the study of kidney function, HIV/AIDS, alcohol/drug addiction and memory.

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About our research

Among the largest research programs in the VA system:

Over $44.2 million in research funding in FY2021
Active investigators: >200
Active projects: >650

Improving patient care:

Research focuses on Veteran health issues
Staff stay abreast of medical breakthroughs
Research attracts top quality physicians
Participation in many large scale clinical studies

Areas of research

Alcoholism & Addiction
Alzheimer’s Disease
Anxiety Disorders
Cancer
Cardiovascular Disease
Dermatology
Diabetes
Geropsychiatry
Hearing Loss
HIV/AIDS
Infectious Diseases
Liver Disease
Lung Disease
Memory

Mood Disorders
Nursing
OEF/OIF/OND Veteran Issues
Pain Management
Parkinson’s Disease
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Rehabilitation
Shingles Vaccine
Sleep Disorders
Spinal Cord Injury
Stroke
Telemedicine
Tobacco Cessation
Traumatic Brain Injury

Special research programs

Center of Excellence for Stress & Mental Health (CESAMH)
Mental Illness Rehabilitation, Education and Clinical Centers (MIRECC)
VA Cooperative Studies Program Network of Dedicated Enrollment Sites (CSP NODES)
VA Women’s Health Practice-Based Research Network (WH-PBRN)
VA Gordon Mansfield Consortium on Spinal Cord Injury
VA Lung Cancer Precision Oncology Program (LPOP) Sub-Site
Million Veterans Program (MVP)
Center for AIDS Research (CFAR)*

*UCSD/VA San Diego Collaboration

Research opportunities

We encourage Veterans and non-Veterans to check this site periodically for research opportunities. Your participation helps us answer important research questions and improves health care for Veterans and the general population. Depending on the study, you may benefit from advanced medical treatment, and some studies offer modest reimbursement. Sign up today and share this information with Veterans, friends, and family. For details, visit our Research Opportunities page.

Contact Us

Research Office
VA San Diego Healthcare System
3350 La Jolla Village Drive
858-552-8585, ext. 7015

The Veterans Medical Research Foundation (VMRF)

The Veterans Medical Research Foundation was founded as a non-profit corporation in 1989, it administers additional funds for research studies at the VA San Diego Healthcare System.

Over $18 million annual budget
Partially funds 112 VA researchers
Is one of the largest of 84 active VA Foundations in the nation