Skip to Content Skip to Footer
WesternU Logo

What are you looking for?
Associate Professor of Physiology Department of Basic Medical Sciences, COMP studies the synaptic and hormonal determinants underlying the hypothalamic control of energy balance. Photos are in part for the Western Diabetes Institute (WDI).
WesternU / Research and Biotechnology / About

About

Office of the Senior Vice President for Research & Biotechnology

The overall goal of the Office of SVP-Research and Biotechnology is to build a distinctive profile at WesternU through the pursuit of excellence in research and innovation. We foster excellence in health sciences graduate academic programs and the continued development of interdisciplinary research and training initiatives within and between the Colleges at WesternU and other schools/colleges in our Southern California communities.

Strategic initiatives entail collaboration of extant research units to greatly expand the recognition of WesternU at the local, national, and international levels by developing improved diagnostic biomarkers, identify new targets for intervention and develop novel therapeutic approaches for better management of patients. A key initiative focuses on resultant development of novel therapies and providing resources to accelerate technology transfer and commercialization of new knowledge and products.

The Office of SVP-Research & Biotechnology serves as the centralized hub providing a supportive environment to the faculties and investigators/collaborators at WesternU with facilities and scientific interactions distinguished by the accomplishments in research, scholarship, creativity, and entrepreneurship, as well as the mentoring of health science students, graduate students, and other trainees. The goal is to develop strategic initiatives and assist in the development and submission of competitive grant proposals with close interaction and partnership with basic scientists and clinician-scientists bridging multiple departments/colleges and expertise to develop and build strong translational research programs, in a multidisciplinary manner, to expand ideas and the innovative process. These initiatives will enhance research and innovation in higher education at WesternU and enhance economic development in the region.

Head shot of Dr. Bradley Henson in a dark suit with light shirt and black tie

Meet Dr. Henson

Dr. Bradley S. Henson, DDS, PhD was appointed Interim Senior Vice President for Research & Biotechnology in March 2022. Dr. Henson is an Associate Professor and has served as the College of Dental Medicine Assistant/Associate Dean for Research and Biomedical Sciences since 2011. He oversees all research activity at WesternU. He enjoys working side by side with fellow researchers and students.
Read More

Dr. Henson received his Doctor of Dental Surgery and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from the University of Michigan. As a dentist-scientist, his approach to teaching and research in dental education has always focused on bridging the biomedical sciences with the clinical sciences.