Internal Medicine Research

Neph lab

Transformative Research at a Top-Funded Institution

Where great science is changing the lives of our patients in Michigan and beyond.  

Dedicated to Improving the Practice of Medicine

The University of Michigan Medical School Department of Internal Medicine has a robust research community and successfully competes for funding from national agencies, foundations and industry-sponsored projects. Scientists here are dedicated to identifying and implementing real solutions to redefine how we practice medicine.

In FY2024, the University of Michigan was awarded a record $2.04 billion in research funding. Of this, the Department of Internal Medicine was responsible for $260 million from over 1,200 grants. In addition, the department published nearly 4,100 peer-reviewed research publications. 

Exploring Research Excellence
Explore Research at the University of Michigan with Dr. Michelle Kahlenberg

Dr. Michelle Kahlenberg discusses the faculty mentoring, state-of-the-art facilities, and comprehensive grant support that empower clinical, translational, and health services researchers to thrive.

Our Research Areas

Basic & Translational Research

We have active basic and translational research programs in many of our subspecialties, continually expanding scientific knowledge and ultimately advancing patient care.

Clinical Research

With health services and clinical researchers working together, we can make quicker advancements to improve patient care.

Research Conferences & Education

Research Symposium

The Department of Internal Medicine Annual Research Symposium showcases the research projects completed by our residents and provides an opportunity for fellows and students, as well as faculty, to present their work and interact with department members. A focal event of the symposium is Grand Rounds delivered by an invited outstanding physician scientist.

Michigan Research Experts

A database by the Medical School Office of Research, connects University of Michigan researchers worldwide, fostering collaboration.

Visit MI Experts
Researchers examine a specimen in the Merajver Lab

By the Numbers in FY2024
$260M
Million in Research Funding
4,089
Peer-Reviewed Articles Published

Giving to Internal Medicine

Your gift can help our physicians provide the highest-quality care while contributing to major advances in patient care, research, and education.

Make a gift

Featured News & Stories

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Many hospitals still don’t do enough to prevent UTIs from catheters

Urinary catheters used by hospitals can lead to UTIs, bladder infections and bloodstream infections, yet hospital infection prevention efforts lag even after 20 years of effort.
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News Release

15 years of data will help uncover how flu spreads—and how to reduce its impact

$14.2-million NIH award to University of Michigan funds research to untangle intricacies of person-to-person flu transmission—and reduce illness, deaths, economic losses
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Health Lab

Digital alerts support timely treatment decisions of critically ill cardiac patients

Well-designed alerts for critically ill cardiac patients can change what happens at the bedside, according to new Michigan Medicine research.
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Department News

Dr. Amy Kelley named chief of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine

Dr. Amy Kelley named chief of Geriatric and Palliative Medicine
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Health Lab

What’s changing in Medicaid and what can you do?

With eligibility rules for people with lower incomes changing in every state, it’s important to stay up to date, seek trustworthy sources and not fall for misinformation
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Medical School News

John Z. Ayanian, MD, MPP, wins national public health policy award

John Z. Ayanian, MD, MPP, has received one of the nation’s top awards for health researchers, as the 2026 winner of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation David E. Rogers Award. The award, which recognizes major contributions to improving public health and health care, is jointly sponsored by RWJF and the AAMC, which is the national organization for medical schools and academic health systems.