About Baylor Scott & White Research Institute

Baylor Scott & White Research Institute (BSWRI) is the dedicated research and development arm of the largest not-for-profit healthcare system in Texas. BSWRI provides the critical infrastructure and operational resources needed to both safely and effectively conduct research across a broad range of specialty areas.

By the numbers:

  • Staffing more than 400 employees, including scientists, laboratory assistants, research nurses, clinical research assistants and research coordinators
  • Utilizing more than 200,000-square-feet of research space
  • Conducting more than 1,400 active research protocols, spanning more than 60 medical specialties
  • Serving more than 800,000 people at medical centers across our healthcare system
  • Publishing more than 500 peer reviewed publications per year

Our patients and community members are at the heart of everything we do at BSWRI

A key aspect of delivering high quality, patient-centered care is ensuring that our research is also truly patient-centered. From discovering new therapies that enhance available treatment options, to studying population health and other trends that improve quality of care, we are committed to bringing innovation to the forefront of healthcare by making research studies and trials more accessible to the diverse communities our system serves.

Frequently published in major scientific journals and reported at medical and scientific meetings, our research has resulted in more than 500 issued and pending patents spanning immunotherapy, genomics, biomarkers, metabolomics, metabolic, cardiovascular disease and medical devices. BSWRI also holds robust cardiovascular, oncology and transplant research portfolios, in addition to overseeing studies across nearly 50 other specialty areas.

Learn more about clinical research by following:

How you can participate in clinical research

We offer patients the opportunity to participate in clinical trials across a wide range of medical specialties. By taking part in a clinical trial, you can play a more active role in your own healthcare and help others by contributing to medical research. Baylor Scott & White Research Institute undertakes clinical trials in both North Texas and Central Texas.

To see if you qualify for enrollment in one of our clinical trials, call 1.888.507.3732.

Frequently asked questions

  • Why participate in a clinical trial?

    Research is an important aspect in the fight against cancer. Cancer hates innovation—and research IS innovation. Participation in clinical trials helps create new ideas, and it helps researchers gain new knowledge, data, and insights that can impact potential treatments and medications that could help future generations. Taking part in research can also present patients who have attempted other treatments or are looking for other options with a choice not otherwise available to the general public because the medications and therapies involved are still being evaluated.

    But research at Baylor Scott & White is about more than just seeing how we can treat cancer.

    We have studies that seek to find better ways to detect and prevent cancer in patients who have never had it, may have a family history of it, or are worried about their cancer coming back. We also study how cancer progresses in different individuals and under different circumstances, such as when other health conditions are involved. And we have trials that seek to find ways to improve the quality of life for people who are living with cancer or who have just completed their treatment.

    Participation in research can help inform every aspect of a patient’s cancer journey.

     
  • What are the potential risks?

    Because clinical trials and other research studies are designed to evaluate a new treatment or therapy, factors such as safety, side effects and basic effectiveness are a natural part of the evaluation. As such, participants may experience an adverse response or run the risk of the treatment or therapy having no effect at all. These factors are all discussed with patients in advance of any involvement, and patients are closely monitored throughout the process to watch for any such signs.

  • Am I guaranteed to get a drug or would I get a placebo?

    Not all trials involve the use of a placebo. If the trial you are considering does involve placebos, a research team member will discuss this information and related details with you prior to as part of your initial screening.

  • What do I have to do to qualify?

    Every research opportunity has specific inclusion and exclusion criteria that help determine if a person qualifies for the study. Research team members review these criteria with interested participants as part of an initial screening. Criteria can include general information like your age, as well as more detailed factors, such as the stage of cancer you have or other health conditions or procedures in your medical history.

  • What are the costs involved in a clinical trial?

    Every trial is different, but generally participants do not have to pay for costs tied to the treatments or medications involved in the trial. These costs are generally covered by the trial’s sponsor(s). The patient (or the patient’s insurance provider) maintains the responsibility of covering costs related to any routine testing, procedures or medications they take as part of their existing cancer treatment.

    As part of the trial, a BSWRI team member will review study consent forms with you and provide information about what payments you are and are not responsible for making.

    Research participation can require more appointments, lab work, in-person visits, or even hospital stays than a participant is used to having. This is needed as part of the monitoring and study process, but may require more time investments than expected. Appointment and other study-related details will be discussed in advance with participants as part of the enrollment process.

  • Once I join a trial, am I required to stay enrolled?

    No, you can stop participating in a clinical trial at any time and for any reason. You are not required to stay enrolled under any circumstances.

  • What are the different phases of research?

    There are different types of studies and trials involved in research. Some focus on data collection and observation, or studying tissue and tumor samples. These types of studies generally require less time from the patient after samples and related information are initially captured. Others studies involve more direct patient interaction and monitoring – these are often the studies that involve evaluation of a new drug, or combination of drugs, or a new therapy or treatment approach. Below is a breakdown of these phases as explained by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA):

    Phase 1: Studies that are usually conducted with healthy volunteers and that emphasize safety. The goal is to find out what the drug's most frequent and serious adverse events are and, often, how the drug is metabolized and excreted.

    Phase 2: Studies that gather preliminary data on effectiveness (whether the drug works in people who have a certain disease or condition). For example, participants receiving the drug may be compared with similar participants receiving a different treatment, usually an inactive substance (called a placebo) or a different drug. Safety continues to be evaluated, and short-term adverse events are studied.

    Phase 3: Studies that gather more information about safety and effectiveness by studying different populations and different dosages and by using the drug in combination with other drugs.

    Phase 4: Studies occurring after FDA has approved a drug for marketing. These including post-market requirement and commitment studies that are required of or agreed to by the sponsor. These studies gather additional information about a drug's safety, efficacy, or optimal use.

    Baylor Scott & White Research Institute currently supports research within each of the different phases and categories mentioned above.

We have more than 100 active clinical trials across 50 different specialty areas. Want to participate?

Areas of research

​​​​​​​​​​​​​BSWRI conducts research across a broad range of specialty areas. Our work takes place at bespoke BSWRI research centers, as well as through programs led by research teams at hospitals and clinics throughout the Baylor Scott & White Health system.
  • All of Us Research Program

    All of Us Research Program

    The All of Us Research Program is a large research program. The goal is to help researchers understand more about why people get sick or stay healthy. People who join will give us information about their health, habits, and what it’s like where they live. By looking at patterns, researchers may learn more about what affects people’s health. Baylor Scott & White Health is a proud participant of the All of Us Research Program, from the National Institute of Health.

    About the All of Us Research Program
  • Cancer

    Cancer

    Baylor Scott & White Research Institute (BSWRI) conducts research exploring different cancer medications, therapies and care options. We support a wide variety of trials, across all phases, related multiple types of cancer.

    About cancer research
  • Center for Applied Health Research (CAHR)

    Center for Applied Health Research (CAHR)

    Center for Applied Health Research (CAHR) is a collaborative, multidisciplinary system level research center within the Baylor Scott & White Research Institute. CAHR supports investigator-initiated research to generate applied health knowledge across our healthcare system.

    About CAHR
  • Esophageal

    Esophageal

    The Center for Esophageal Disease at Baylor University Medical Center features gastroenterologists, interventional endoscopists, laryngologists, esophageal surgeons and thoracic surgeons on the Baylor University Medical Center medical staff who have focused expertise in diagnosing and treating disorders of the esophagus.

    About esophageal research
  • Heart and vascular

    Heart and vascular

    Baylor Scott & White Research Institute (BSWRI) oversees a robust portfolio of cardiovascular trials and studies that has resulted in more than 500 issued and pending patents spanning cardiovascular disease and medical devices.

    About heart and vascular research
  • Rehabilitation

    Rehabilitation

    We focus our research on patients across our entire rehabilitation network. With a diverse patient group from acute care therapy, inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient therapy and our home health division, we are able to create unique research opportunities.

    About rehab research
  • Texas Immuno-Oncology Biorepository (TIOB)

    Texas Immuno-Oncology Biorepository (TIOB)

    The Texas Immuno-Oncology Biorepository is a research facility that collects, catalogs and stores samples of biological material, such as urine, blood, stool, tissue, cells, DNA, RNA and protein, in an effort to improve our understanding of cancer. About TIOB
  • Transplant

    Transplant

    We’ve performed many human organ transplant firsts in the state, nation and the world. We are globally recognized for our contributions to transplantation research and our effectiveness at translating complex studies to patients in need.

    About transplant research
  • Uterus transplant

    Uterus transplant

    Sixteen babies have been born at Baylor University Medical Center, part of Baylor Scott & White Health to mothers who received a uterus transplant. These live births are the latest medical milestones in the uterine transplant clinical trial (ended) at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas.

    About uterus transplant research
  • Warriors Research Institute

    Warriors Research Institute

    Our team is dedicated to producing high quality research aimed at improving care for warriors from a variety of fields.

    Warriors Research Institute
  • Other specialties and services

    Other specialties and services

    Our specialties and services

All of Us Research Program

The All of Us Research Program is a large research program. The goal is to help researchers understand more about why people get sick or stay healthy. People who join will give us information about their health, habits, and what it’s like where they live. By looking at patterns, researchers may learn more about what affects people’s health. Baylor Scott & White Health is a proud participant of the All of Us Research Program, from the National Institute of Health.

About the All of Us Research Program

Cancer

Baylor Scott & White Research Institute (BSWRI) conducts research exploring different cancer medications, therapies and care options. We support a wide variety of trials, across all phases, related multiple types of cancer.

About cancer research

Center for Applied Health Research (CAHR)

Center for Applied Health Research (CAHR) is a collaborative, multidisciplinary system level research center within the Baylor Scott & White Research Institute. CAHR supports investigator-initiated research to generate applied health knowledge across our healthcare system.

About CAHR

Esophageal

The Center for Esophageal Disease at Baylor University Medical Center features gastroenterologists, interventional endoscopists, laryngologists, esophageal surgeons and thoracic surgeons on the Baylor University Medical Center medical staff who have focused expertise in diagnosing and treating disorders of the esophagus.

About esophageal research

Heart and vascular

Baylor Scott & White Research Institute (BSWRI) oversees a robust portfolio of cardiovascular trials and studies that has resulted in more than 500 issued and pending patents spanning cardiovascular disease and medical devices.

About heart and vascular research

Rehabilitation

We focus our research on patients across our entire rehabilitation network. With a diverse patient group from acute care therapy, inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient therapy and our home health division, we are able to create unique research opportunities.

About rehab research

Texas Immuno-Oncology Biorepository (TIOB)

The Texas Immuno-Oncology Biorepository is a research facility that collects, catalogs and stores samples of biological material, such as urine, blood, stool, tissue, cells, DNA, RNA and protein, in an effort to improve our understanding of cancer. About TIOB

Transplant

We’ve performed many human organ transplant firsts in the state, nation and the world. We are globally recognized for our contributions to transplantation research and our effectiveness at translating complex studies to patients in need.

About transplant research

Uterus transplant

Sixteen babies have been born at Baylor University Medical Center, part of Baylor Scott & White Health to mothers who received a uterus transplant. These live births are the latest medical milestones in the uterine transplant clinical trial (ended) at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas.

About uterus transplant research

Warriors Research Institute

Our team is dedicated to producing high quality research aimed at improving care for warriors from a variety of fields.

Warriors Research Institute

Other specialties and services

Our specialties and services

Innovative Clinical Trials Center

Some of the most advanced Phase I clinical trials being conducted are offered through the Swim Across America Innovative Clinical Trials Center (ICTC) at Baylor Scott & White Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center, located on the campus of Baylor University Medical Center, part of Baylor Scott & White Health.

Discover our research