The NIH Catalyst Newsletter | NIH Intramural Research Program

ChIRP: A ChatGPT Model for the NIH Intramural Community

Calling All Humans: The NIH is piloting a generative AI service called ChIRP, short for Chatbox for the Intramural Research Program (IRP). Launched on January 7, this pilot program is powered by ChatGPT technology but caters solely to NIH staff and is confined to the NIH intranet.

A Masterful and Multifaceted Molecule

In the early 1980s, a discovery at the NIH revealed a protein that would forever change our understanding of cell signaling, development, and disease: Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta).

From the Deputy Director for Intramural Research

For the past several months, the word “challenge” keeps appearing everywhere. For many, it characterizes life at home or at work or in the grocery store. But from where does this word come, and what does it really mean? Doesn’t everyone in science and medicine love a good challenge?

Research Briefs

Read about scientific advances and discoveries by NIH intramural scientists: New app streamlines genome-sequencing data; biomarker predicts neurodegenerative disease; antibodies neutralize immunodeficiency virus; dual-role cytokine mediates allergy; and mechanisms revealed behind DNA repair.

NIH’s Four Newest Lasker Scholars

Many scientists have a seemingly single-minded focus on their research, but there are considerable benefits to having one foot in the lab and the other in the clinic. Working with patients gives researchers a daily reminder of the people they are working so hard to help and allows them to investigate the effects of promising but still experimental treatments in willing volunteers. That’s one of the main reasons why the IRP’s Lasker Clinical Research Scholars Program is designed to accelerate the careers of promising early-career physician-scientists.

Preserving History

The NIH Intramural Research Program has a storied history. For example, there’s that whole human genome thing and, oh yeah, cancer immunology. Seems worth documenting. Read excerpts from the chapter on facilities from a book in progress...

Colleagues: Recently Tenured

Meet your recently tenured colleagues: Bizu Gelaye (NICHD), Rena Jones (NCI), Hendrikje Nienborg (NEI), and Natalie Shaw (NIEHS)

SNAPHOTS

The annual NIH Graduate Student Research Symposium was held February 13 at the Natcher Conference Center on the Bethesda campus. Over 100 presenters, and their mentors, were showcased this year.

Photographic Moment

Mabel Gómez leads the NIH Medical Simulation Program, which serves the NIH Clinical Center and beyond.

Announcements

News and updates on policy, resources, happenings around NIH, and more.

Catalytic Events

News about lectures, symposia, and more.

Kudos

On January 14, 2025, six principal investigators from the NIH Intramural Research Program received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE), the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on outstanding scientists and engineers early in their careers.

This page was last updated on Tuesday, March 11, 2025