To be a patient-focused clinical and scientific research center dedicated to easing the burden of pancreatic disease.

Our program is built on teamwork. Program leaders, clinicians, and scientists work side by side, sharing ideas and data to translate discoveries into better care. This “center without walls” approach connects patient needs directly with research breakthroughs and drives progress where it matters most.

We focus on three priorities:

Earlier Detection –Developing minimally invasive tests and advanced imaging to identify early-stage disease and precancerous lesions.

Advanced Therapy –Developing innovative surgical and medical treatments for both benign and malignant pancreatic conditions.

Patient Resilience –We are advancing our understanding of how pancreatic diseases affect wellbeing and resilience, paving the way for effective therapies that improve patients’ quality of life.

Our Approach

We work closely with clinicians to ensure that every project addresses real patient needs. Collaboration is central to our values, and we fund cross-disciplinary research involving experts from diverse fields.

Our impact extends far beyond OHSU. We partner with leading academic institutions and industry innovators/partners? worldwide, accelerating progress through shared knowledge and resources.

Training the Next Generation

The Brenden-Colson Center invests in future leaders through research fellowships for early-stage investigators studying hereditary, inflammatory, and malignant pancreatic diseases. We also award competitive travel grants to help researchers present their findings and build collaborations at major national and international conferences.