Emergency Medicine Research

Emergency medical tool

Research & Innovation

We're committed to creating the future of emergency care through innovative research and creative scholarship.

Leading the Charge Through Research

In 2026, the Department of Emergency Medicine is ranked #3 in the nation for NIH funding, with $16.9 million awarded annually—representing more than 10% of total funding among ranked departments. Four faculty are ranked among the top 25 NIH-funded investigators nationally.

This milestone builds on a sustained track record of research excellence. For more than a decade, our department has consistently been ranked among the top five Departments of Emergency Medicine in the U.S. in NIH funding. As one of the most successful academic emergency medicine programs in the country, our research mission continues to expand, generating 418 publications, 12 invention reports, and $23.9 million in research dollars in FY2025 alone.

The U-M Medical School Department of Emergency Medicine cultivates research focused on preclinical, clinical, implementation and policy aspects of emergency medicine and critical care. Our faculty, composed of research and clinical leaders—including 4 members of the National Academy of Medicine and 1 member of the National Academy of Innovators—play an active role in directing the national research agenda related to the care of acutely ill and injured patients, injury prevention, and health.

This commitment to excellence is further demonstrated by our establishment of the first R38 physician-scientist training program in emergency medicine, positioning U-M as a national leader in developing the next generation of clinician-researchers.
A survival flight helicopter flies near the hospital

By the Numbers
$23.9M
Research Dollars per year
1st
R38 Physician Scientist Training program in Emergency Medicine
4
National Academy of Medicine members
418
Total Publications per year

Research Opportunities

With over 25 years of experience in developing students, residents, and faculty for careers in emergency research, the Department of Emergency Medicine provides solid support for cultivating productive, funded researchers. Training opportunities range from summer projects for first-year medical students to long-term career development, including extramural training grants and first independent research funding

The University of Michigan Emergency Medicine’s preclinical laboratories encompass a diverse portfolio of basic science and analytical labs that play a crucial role in advancing translational research. These labs provide controlled environments for studying the underlying biological, chemical, and physiological processes related to acute care. Researchers investigate mechanisms of injury, disease progression, and potential therapeutic interventions, creating the foundation for new diagnostic tools and treatment protocols. Analytical labs utilize advanced technologies, animal models and human samples to quantify biomarkers, detect pathogens, and test novel therapeutic interventions, contributing to rapid and accurate diagnosis during emergencies. Through translational research efforts, findings from the University of Michigan’s Emergency Medicine labs are translated into practical applications, helping to enhance evidence-based practices and foster innovation in the life-saving care delivered by emergency medicine teams.

American Academy of Chairs in Emergency Medicine (AACEM)

  • Distinguished Service Award: Neumar, Robert (2023)

American Academy of Emergency Medicine (AAEM)

  • Peter Rosen Award for Academic Leadership: Barsan, William (2004)

American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP)

  • 911 Legislative Network Member of the Year: Uren, Brad (2023)
  • Award for Outstanding Contributions in Research: Ward, Kevin (2024); Cunningham, Rebecca (2019); Neumar, Robert (2017); Barsan, William (2004)
  • Emergency Medicine Choosing Wisely Champion: Kocher, Keith (2018)
  • Rising Star Award: Hsu, Cindy (2017)
  • Urgent Matters Injury Prevention Innovation of the Year Award: Carter, Patrick (2019)

American Society for Clinical Investigation

  • Elected, Member: Korley, Frederick (2024)

American Heart Association (AHA)

  • Cor Vitae Award: Neumar, Robert (2016)
  • Hemorrhagic Stroke Research Excellence Award: Royan, Regina (2023)
  • Stroke Data Challenge Runner Up: Royan, Regina (2024)
  • Young Investigator Award: Hsu, Cindy (2020); Ansari, Sardar (2016); Sanderson, Thomas (2014)

National Academy of Medicine (NAM)

  • Elected Member: Korley, Frederick (2025); Carter, Patrick (2023); Neumar, Robert (2015); Barsan, William (2003)

National Academy of Inventors (NAI)

  • Elected Member: Kevin Ward (2023)

Society for Academic Emergency Medicine (SAEM)

  • AEUS Best International Research Award: Theyyunni, Nik (2020); Oteng, Rockefeller (2019)
  • AEUS Distinguished Service Award: Theyyunni, Nik (2024)
  • Annual Meeting Semi-Finalist for Basic Science: VanEpps, Scott (2014)
  • Annual Sonogames Competition, 2nd Place: Theyyunni, Nik (2014)
  • Arnold P. Gold Foundation Humanism in Medicine Award: Harvey, Carrie (2024); Sozener, Cemal (2021, 2020, 2019); Barsan, William (2018); Losman, Eve (2014)
  • AWAEM Early Career Educator/Research Award: Hsu, Cindy (2019)
  • Best Clinical Research Award: Brent, Christine (2023)
  • Best Faculty Research Abstract in Pediatric Emergency Care: Kocher, Keith (2017)
  • Best Research Abstract, Semi-finalist: Kocher, Keith (2014)
  • CDEM Innovation in Medical Education Award: House, Joseph (2014)
  • Early Investigator Award: Hsu, Cindy (2022); Ward, Kevin (2020); Carter, Patrick (2019); Kocher, Keith (2017); Meurer, Will (2015)
  • Excellence in Research Award: Silbergleit, Robert (2021); Ward, Kevin (2020)
  • Hal Jayne Excellence in Educaton Award: Barsan, William (1995)
  • John Marx Leadership Award: Neumar, Robert (2020); Barsan, William (2005)
  • Mentor Award: Kocher, Keith (2023)
  • Mid-Career Investigator Award: Korley, Frederick (2021); Meurer, Will (2020)
  • Organizational Advancement Award: VanEpps, Scott (2024)
  • SimWars National Champion: Haas, Nathan (2018)

Society for Critical Care Medicine (SCCM)

  • Barry A. Shapiro Memorial Award for Excellence in Critical Care Management: Bassin, Ben (2020)
  • Presidential Citation Award: Bassin, Ben (2018); Gunnerson, Kyle (2005 & 2006)

United States Public Health Service

  • National Award for Excellence in Public Health: Royan, Regina (2018)

Research Leadership
See all Emergency Medicine faculty Frederick K. Korley

Frederick Korley, MD, PhD
Associate Chair of Research
Massey TBI Grand Challenge Scientific Director-Weil Institute
Professor of Emergency Medicine
Medical School

Featured News & Stories

 See all news Child gets a leg cast put on
Department News

Nerve blocks for kids’ broken legs: U-M helps show a safer, faster way to stop the pain

At 12 emergency departments, researchers followed 114 children, ages 4 to 17, with femur fractures. They compared pain medication, like opioids, with ultrasound-guided nerve blocks — injections of long-acting local anesthetic. The University of Michigan led the way with the most enrollees in the study.
 people rushing through the emergency room with bed
Department News

Medicaid billed for 52% of U.S. hospital costs from gun injuries

Medicaid reimbursement often falls short of treatment costs, leaving trauma centers on the front lines of the gun violence epidemic to absorb losses Study authors concerned Medicaid funding cuts could further strain trauma centers Costs stayed flat through 2019, then rose 33% from 2019 to 2021, coinciding with a rise in firearm injury during the pandemic
 Graphic image of a brain with EEG waves across it
Department News

Could ketamine be the key to stopping life-threatening seizures?

Every second counts during a prolonged seizure. Known as status epilepticus, these seizures won’t stop on their own, and if not treated fast, they can lead to brain damage, ICU stays, or death. Michigan Medicine is now leading a major clinical trial that could change how these patients are treated in the emergency department. The study, called KESETT (Ketamine add-on therapy for Established Status Epilepticus Treatment Trial), funded by the NIH, will test whether adding ketamine to current treatments can stop seizures more effectively.