University of Colorado, Denver Center for Combat Medicine and Battlefield (COMBAT) Research


The Center for Combat Medicine and Battlefield (COMBAT) Research is a lab within the University of Colorado, Denver that is dedicated to solving the U.S. military’s toughest medical challenges by leading high-impact research, education, and innovation. The center collaborates with government, academic, and industry partners to turn military medical gains into better healthcare for all. It focuses on combat and deployment-related medical research, leveraging over 100 years of combined military experience to address current military medicine research gaps and translate solutions to civilian communities. The center also emphasizes the importance of education and mentorship in advancing the next generation of military physicians and researchers.

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University of Colorado, Denver Center for Combat Medicine and Battlefield (COMBAT) Research

Leprino Building, 12401 East 17th Avenue, 7th Floor, Aurora, CO 80045


What We Do

Leading high-impact research in collaboration with government, academic, and industry partners to solve military medical challenges.

Recruiting, training, and mentoring physicians and researchers across the pipeline from students to established investigators.

A partnership to support research, mentorship, and collaborative initiatives between CU and USAFA.



Key People

Vice Chair for Strategy and Growth; Director, CU Anschutz Center for COMBAT Research

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Deputy Director; Director: CU Center for COMBAT Research Scholar Program

Associate Director

Assistant Director, Technology and Innovation

Assistant Director, Prehospital, Trauma and Operational Strategy

Scientist Development Lead


Funded Projects

Community-Engaged Research Shows Promise for Adapting Safety Interventions in Military Populations

Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz, supported by MOMRP and MTEC, adapted the Project Safe Guard (PSG) intervention for military populations, emphasizing peer discussions and addressing implementation challenges.


News & Updates

An event scheduled for April 3-4, 2025, focusing on elite research in combat medicine.

The Department of Defense granted $15.6 million to study prolonged care for patients with major bleeding, traumatic brain injury, polytrauma, and complex wounds.

A survey of the U.S. Air Force mental health workforce revealed gaps in knowledge and confidence regarding lethal means safety counseling.

Investigators and faculty members from the University of Colorado School of Medicine presented critical research informing health care and safety for military service members and earned notable accolades at the Military Health Science Research Symposium.

Faculty members at the University of Colorado School of Medicine have been awarded $5 million by the U.S. Department of Defense to work on clinical and logistical challenges associated with modern large-scale combat operations and prolonged casualty care in Ukraine.

The Cape-Colorado-Combat (C3) Global Trauma Network received two research grants totaling $4.7 million from the United States Department of Defense to assess timing of critical interventions in trauma care.