University of Pittsburgh


The Center for Military Medicine Research (CMMR) at the University of Pittsburgh is dedicated to advancing medical research for wounded service members and their families. The center focuses on trauma, emergency, and critical care, leveraging the university's strengths in medical and engineering fields, and collaborating with Carnegie Mellon University's robotics and AI expertise. CMMR aims to enhance trauma care for warfighters and civilians, contributing to the defense innovation economy.

University of Pittsburgh shield

University of Pittsburgh

Bridgeside Point II, 450 Technology Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15219


What We Do

CMMR supports medical research interests of the Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs, organizing collaborations among investigators to promote research initiatives and develop new research themes.

CMMR establishes strategic DoD education and research agreements to foster cooperation and teaching between DoD clinicians, academia, and private sector organizations.

CMMR engages in collaborations and partnerships with the VA Pittsburgh, community-based organizations, and philanthropic organizations to benefit the greater Pittsburgh community.

A 5-year contract with the Defense Health Agency to transition R&D findings into medical practice for combat casualty care, with a potential award of up to $10 billion.

An autonomous diagnosis and management platform for treating cardiorespiratory insufficiency using porcine models and human data.

Development of a soft robotic-enabled patient care system with integrated noninvasive sensing and robotic intervention systems.



Key People


Funded Projects

Extracellular Matrix (ECM) Hydrogels for Regenerative Medicine Applications

Hydrogels are highly hydrated materials and can be derived from components of the extracellular matrix to facilitate immune activity and act as a scaffold for new cell growth. The Badylak Lab at the University of Pittsburgh has created lightweight, portable and temperature-tolerant hydrogels that can readily be used at the point of care in a variety of military operations, including rapid clotting for treatment of traumatic injuries on the battlefield.

Congratulations to the University of Pittsburgh for their MTEC award: “Enhanced Biologic Scaffold for Volumetric Muscle Loss”

Building on promising human study results, the University of Pittsburgh team will assess clinical efficacy and explore alternative antibiotic coatings in preclinical models to enhance muscle regeneration.


News & Updates

CMMR hosted the Steel City Spark Medical Collider Event to accelerate medical innovation in the Pittsburgh region.

An article discussing the efforts of Pittsburgh organizations, including CMMR, in health care safety research.

An article exploring genetic and epigenetic responses to spaceflight and future plans for space exploration.

An article about the University of Pittsburgh receiving funding to study wound care in war settings.

Ron Poropatich, MD, Director of CMMR, received the Pitt Distinguished Alumni award for his contributions.