Biobehavioral Institute of Oklahoma (BIO)
From an idea in the laboratory to an intervention in the clinic to better health across Oklahoma — BIO is building the infrastructure to connect every step.
Our mission is to advance and translate rigorous brain and behavioral research to strengthen the health of all Oklahomans.
From Discovery to Recovery
The Biobehavioral Institute of Oklahoma (BIO) is creating a new model for translating scientific discovery into better health. Complex problems in science and medicine require integrated solutions that link cutting edge research with new approaches to care delivery. BIO makes this possible by connecting scientists and clinicians around a shared goal: turning discovery into lasting improvements for patients, families and communities. Discovery informs care. Care informs discovery. The result is research designed not simply to generate knowledge — but to change care.
Meet the Team
This work builds upon years of research and clinical leadership from Julie Croff, Ph.D., Kelly Dunn, MD, and Kyle Simmons, Ph.D.— three innovators with complementary areas of expertise working together toward greater impact.
Implementation and Community Impact
Our work is Improving family health by integrating behavioral, biological, and community research to address substance use, adversity, and maternal and child health. By using data and community experience to improve health care delivery and outcomes, the team continually works to refine care. We also support rural and underserved providers through continuing education, Project ECHO and specialist consultation. Like strands of a braid, medicine, neuroscience, and population health research become stronger when interconnected.
An Intentional Model for Clinical-Research Integration
In conjunction with BIO, OSU Medicine's academic medicine programs provide an opportunity for a virtuous circle of clinical care and research. Our clinics provide insights to researchers about the challenges that patients and clinicians face every day. Researchers develop and test solutions to those challenges, and the evidence returns to the clinic to improve care. This continuous feedback loop creates a powerful cycle of discovery, translation, implementation and improvement.
One of Oklahoma’s Most Urgent Challenges
BIO’s primary area of focus is addiction and substance use disorders. Oklahoma patients and families continue to face significant challenges related to substance use, often because the most advanced and effective treatment options remain limited or unavailable in Oklahoma. BIO brings together expertise in addiction medicine, neuroscience, behavioral science, clinical research, public health and healthcare delivery to develop and test new solutions across the entire continuum of prevention, treatment and recovery.
Our Work
Novel Medications
- Novel medications for substance use disorders, including methamphetamine, alcohol and cannabis use disorders
- Identifying the optimal medications to treat alcohol withdrawal
Addiction Treatment
- Precision approaches to addiction treatment
- Maternal and postpartum addiction care
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
- A new Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) clinic will address treatment-resistant depression with FDA-approved TMS
PTSD Treatment
- Novel pharmacological treatments for veterans with PTSD
Population Health
- Large-scale health data and treatment trends