Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science

What it reported doing in 2024

Research funding: in 2025, cdu was awarded ten projects totaling $8,986,668 and five subawards amounting to $2,897,880, through nih research and training grants for a total of $11,884,548 in support for advancing our mission of excellence in research and education.the cdu axis center continues to receive $4,236,648 in nih/nimhd funding (u54) in 2025, providing critical support for twenty-nine faculty members in advancing their research initiatives.cdu clinical and translational science institute (ctsi) aims to build a strong infrastructure and provide essential services that foster translational science research. Cdu is proud to partner with the ucla ctsi, alongside cedars-sinai medical center and the lundquist institute for biomedical innovation. The mission of ucla ctsi is to develop and implement innovations that address the most pressing health needs of los angeles and the nation. Through this partnership, cdu faculty gained access to valuable resources, including pilot funding opportunities, vouchers for ucla core facilities, grant-writing workshops, and biostatistical consultations. Cdu ctsi has obligated to date $2,454,040 with an annual cdu/ctsi budget of $613,510.research faculty recruitmentcdu continues to expand its faculty recruitment and the promotion of several outstanding postdoctoral scholars to faculty positions. Their appointments will further strengthen our research enterprise and foster innovation across disciplines: dr. Ke wu - assistant professor, college of medicinedr. Edward adinkrah - assistant professor, college of nursingdr. Alexandra donovan - adjunct assistant professor, college of medicinethese advancements reflect their dedication to research and scholarship, and we look forward to the continued contributions they will bring to our research and academic community.additionally, research continues to expand its clinical research leadership by recruiting dr. Dean sherzai as director of the cdu clinical and translational research institute (ctrc) to increase clinical trials.junior faculty developmentthe university remains committed to supporting our junior faculty in expanding the research portfolio. In 2025, funding highlights included funding of two junior faculty. Dr. Susanna cavallero received an r16 award for four years for a total $578,000 and a ucla/nih lift-up subaward for one year of $40,000. Dr. Pranabananda dutta received the ucla/nih/ncats-kl2 award of two to three years for $451,841.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 58.7%; rating input score 59
• Program expense ratio: 81.2%; rating input score 81
• Fundraising efficiency: $156.64 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 88; 88th percentile among comparable filings

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 68th percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: 3 of 6 controls in place; rating input score 50
  • Compensation committee: Pass
  • Independent consultant: Missing
  • Other Form 990s reviewed: Missing
  • Written employment contract: Missing
  • Compensation survey or study: Pass
  • Board or committee approval: Pass
• Foreign activity oversight: Scored; rating input score 0
• Grant itemization coverage: 100%; rating input score 100; 77th percentile among comparable filings
• Major donor itemization: Yes; rating input score 100
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 85.7%; rating input score 86; 32nd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 8 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 89
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Fail
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Pass
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Pass

Sustainability

• Operating margin: 31.3%; rating input score 93; 93rd percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 3.01; rating input score 76; 76th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.26; rating input score 61; 61st percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 5%; rating input score 17; 17th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 9.7% per year; rating input score 100; 73rd percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 8.1% per year; rating input score 100; 68th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 7.7% per year; rating input score 100; 57th percentile among comparable filings