Dr. Brenda Joly Leads Decade-Long, Multi-Institutional Research Evaluation Initiative
Dr. Brenda Joly of the Muskie School’s Public Health Program has played a leading role in a major regional initiative that has strengthened clinical and translational research across Northern New England. For nearly a decade, Dr. Joly has served as the Tracking and Evaluation Core Director for the Northern New England Clinical and Translational Research Network (NNE-CTR), a $40 million initiative funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Working in partnership with MaineHealth, the University of Vermont, and colleagues at USM, Prof. Joly has led a comprehensive evaluation to assess the network’s progress, document its impact, and inform strategic decision-making. Under her leadership, and in close collaboration with Project Director Carolyn Gray, MPH, at the Catherine Cutler Institute & Muskie School, the USM evaluation team has secured nearly $3 million in external funding, produced more than 50 evaluation products, and published nine peer-reviewed journal articles.
The initiative has also provided valuable opportunities for USM students. Thirteen Master of Public Health graduate assistants have participated in the project, gaining hands-on experience in research evaluation, data analysis, scholarly writing, and dissemination. Students have co-authored 25 evaluation products, and two MPH graduates, Kelly Waters, MPH and Kathryn Bizier, MPH, have gone on to join the evaluation team as professional staff.
Professor Joly’s leadership has extended to advancing evaluation science nationally and beyond. She recently served as guest editor of a special evaluation-focused issue of the Journal of Clinical and Translational Science, bringing together 23 publications exploring innovations in evaluating clinical and translational research. Her team has also pioneered the use of digital storytelling to communicate research impacts, including projects focused on emergency stroke care and emerging health technologies.
Looking ahead, Dr. Joly partnered with Dr. Bren Petersen from the School of Nursing to expand USM’s role in this work. In collaboration with MaineHealth,, a new five-year funding proposal was recently submitted to expand the network’s efforts and strengthen research opportunities for nurse scientists and other health researchers.
This sustained collaboration demonstrates the significant contributions of Dr. Brenda Joly and the Muskie School’s public health faculty to regional research partnerships, student mentorship, and the advancement of evaluation science at the national level. Congratulations Dr. Joly!
Learn more: Dr. Brenda Joly’s USM faculty profile
See here and here for the accompanying One-Page Impact Profiles
Impact Profile (Eye Exam for Diabetic Retinopathy)