This department has a unique mandate in what otherwise is a strong, research-oriented environment at Johns Hopkins University. We are located on the campus of the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, across the street from the Johns Hopkins Hospital and School of Medicine, so we are well positioned for collaborations, joint appointments, and access to resources including core facilities and trainees. Since July of 2008, we have recruited seven new faculty members, including a new Department Chair (Dr. Pierre Coulombe), and have secured the resources to make additional appointments in the near future. Our new recruits are building on an already-strong faculty. The Department has energy and momentum, and enjoys a forward-looking atmosphere. We have two NIH-funded training grants that help support Department-based training programs. The lab space available to our recruits is modern and spacious, as are the equipment and facilities in the Department. We are in a position to extend generous recruitment packages to our faculty, and have developed a mentoring system to meet the specific needs of junior faculty. | 
