PCTU DELEGATION STRENGTHENS STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS AT MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY AND HENRY FORD HEALTH
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As part of PCTU’s strategic initiative to expand global collaboration in regenerative medicine, clinical research, infectious disease control, and health systems innovation, a delegation of faculty and administrators conducted a series of high-level visits to Michigan State University (MSU) and Henry Ford Health (HFH) from October 7–8, 2025. These visits aimed to explore academic exchanges, joint research opportunities, and long-term institutional partnerships that support PCTU’s mission of advancing internationally aligned medical education and research excellence.

The delegation met with Dr. Qing Xia, Associate Director for Outreach Institute for Global Health, and visited the laboratory of Dr. Aitor Aguirre, Department of Biomedical Engineering. His team presented a state-of-the-art “heart-in-a-petri-dish” cardiac organoid, generated from iPSCs reprogrammed from fibroblasts of patients with chronic heart disease. This work demonstrates MSU’s advanced capabilities in regenerative medicine, large-scale metabolomics, functional genomics, developmental biology, and disease modeling.

The delegation also visited the MSU Library and Digital Lab, observing the application of smart anatomy tables, 3D classrooms, and virtual reality environments for anatomy and surgical training.

At the Office of Global Health Research Support, discussions focused on establishing and managing clinical trials in international settings. MSU introduced REDCap as a platform for clinical study design and data capture and offered a webinar workshop for PCTU. Opportunities for student, falcuty, and research fellow exchanges in FDA-standard clinical trial management were also explored. PCTU proposed a pilot digital system for clinical research data integration across the Tam Tri Hospital Network.

HENRY Ford Health Global Health, Detroit, MI, Wednesday, October 8

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Through coordination by Dr. Qing Xia, the delegation visited Henry Ford Health, a system of 13 hospitals integrated through a unified digital and data-sharing infrastructure enabling fundamental research, translational studies, and innovation.

The delegation met with the Global Health Initiative (GHI) team, whose mission is to “advance health equity through sustainable and reciprocal global partnerships.” GHI operates global education, training, research, and consulting programs across more than 20 countries, with hubs in Colombia, Jordan, Nepal, and Detroit. They expressed strong interest in collaborating with PCTU, including allowing PCTU to define local health priorities and pursue reciprocal innovation.

HFH shared experience from international programs in antibiotic stewardship, AMR control, mental health, oncology, and clinical research capacity building. Their Infectious Disease specialists support partner hospitals in optimizing antibiotic use and reducing AMR — an area aligned with PCTU’s BMRA Division.

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Both parties expressed strong interest in establishing an Antibiotic Resistance Stewardship Program within the PCTU/Tam Tri Hospital system, integrating genomic and clinical data analysis. A joint proposal is now being drafted. The delegation also toured HFH’s cancer center, simulation lab, and Institute for Innovation, which utilizes 3D printing to support pre-surgical planning.

HFH introduced its One Health Initiative, focusing on the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. Key program elements include genomic surveillance of zoonotic and resistant pathogens, cross-sectoral training, and integrated clinical–environmental research. This direction aligns with PCTU’s expanding genomic and infectious disease research strategy.

The visits to Michigan State University and Henry Ford Health marked a significant step forward in PCTU’s international engagement strategy. Both institutions expressed strong interest in partnership, providing opportunities in regenerative medicine, clinical trial development, AMR stewardship, One Health research, and biomedical innovation. These collaborations position PCTU as an emerging regional leader in translational research and global health, laying a strong foundation for long-term academic and scientific cooperation.

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