Oklahoma City, OK – Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation President J. Donald Capra, M.D. signed a four year contract to continue serving as president of the Foundation. A former member of OMRF’s Scientific Advisory Committee, Capra joined the Foundation in 1997 after 23 years at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas.
“I am pleased to continue my tenure as president of OMRF,” said Capra. “This position joins great responsibility with great rewards. I look forward to the challenges the next four years will bring.”
As president, Dr. Capra’s goal is to maintain the outstanding research programs at OMRF and to grow the Foundation in a progressive way through his commitment to graduate education and his development of a cooperative interrelationship with the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and other agencies at the Oklahoma Health Center.
“Together with the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, the next few years will be devoted to expanding our outstanding programs in fundamental genetics. This will require that we pull together at all levels – private and public, state and federal, urban and rural. For Oklahoma to remain competitive in the biomedical revolution, we simply must do this,” he continued.
Capra credited his colleagues at OMRF by saying, “…the success OMRF has had is based on a great team and talented staff. Our researchers are world-class investigators who have made significant contributions to the scientific community. They could pursue their research anywhere, but have chosen to be at OMRF. The vice presidents – Chip Morgan (Business), Dr. Moe Reichlin (Science), and Art Cotton (Development), – each provide important leadership and guidance to our staff. Our administrative and support staffs are capable, dedicated, and professional. It will be a privilege to continue working with these colleagues for the next four years.”
“Additionally, OMRF has the most supportive, encouraging and personally involved Board of Directors in Oklahoma. I value this vote of confidence during this critical phase of OMRF’s growth. No president of any organization could ask for more,” Capra concluded.
In 1999, Capra initiated the “For the Future of Medical Research” campaign. The drive seeks to raise $100 million in capital and endowment funds for OMRF. In 18 months, the campaign has raised nearly $70 million. Current construction on the Donald W. Reynolds Center for Genetic Research will add 13,000 square feet of laboratory and research space to OMRF. The Reynolds Center will help scientists develop a clearer understanding of DNA.
“Dr. Capra’s enthusiasm and dedication are contagious,” said H.E. “Gene” Rainbolt, Chairman of the Board of BancFirst and chairman of the “For the Future of Medical Research” campaign. “I am confident that his leadership will allow OMRF to grow in size and stature. The Foundation will continue to make the scientific breakthroughs and significant contributions that are the benchmarks of OMRF. As a lifelong Oklahoman, I find it both exciting and inspiring to have such a world-class institution in our state.”
Additionally, Capra seeks to expand the scientific faculty by 50%, adding 20 new principal investigators to the OMRF staff. Upon his arrival in 1997, OMRF had 36 principal investigators. Today there are 42. The goal over the next four years will be to expand to 54. During his tenure, Capra has recruited scientists from organizations such as the National Institutes of Health and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Furthermore, Capra endeavors to bring needed attention to the research and contributions of the current scientific staff.
“As a scientific institution, our success and value are based on the quality of our research.” said Jim Bass, OMRF board member and chairman of the executive committee “By recruiting the best and brightest to OMRF, we ensure world-class science.”
In addition to his duties as OMRF president, Capra continues his research projects in the laboratory as Member and Head of the Molecular Immunogenetics Research Program. Dr. Capra is well known for his studies of antibody genes and how they are mutated in autoimmune disorders. His research at OMRF focuses on the immune system at the molecular level. He is particularly interested in the genetic origin and structure of human antibodies. He also studies the role of a specialized white cell, a “T-cell,” in human immune system responses. Dr. Capra’s work in this area is yielding valuable data that has a broad range of clinical applications in treating, managing, and detecting various diseases.
Dr. Capra serves on the boards of the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, the Oklahoma Health Center Foundation, and the Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation. In addition, he is a member of Sigma Xi, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Rheumatism Association, the American Association of Biological Chemists and Molecular Biologists, the Association of American Physicians, and the American society for Clinical Investigation. He is a fellow of the American Association of the Advancement of Science, secretary-treasurer of the American Association of Immunologists, president of the Henry Kunkel Society, and an honorary member of the Societe Francaise d’Immunolgie.
Chartered in 1946, OMRF is a private, non-profit biomedical research institution which employs over 400 scientists, physicians, technicians, and administrative and support personnel. OMRF focuses on several critical areas of research: cancer, heart disease, diabetes, lupus and other autoimmune diseases, stroke, AIDS, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, and children’s diseases.
