Q&A with new OMRF President Dr. Andrew Weyrich

On Jan. 4, 2022, the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation in Oklahoma City welcomed Dr. Andrew Weyrich as its new president, replacing highly respected Dr. Stephen Prescott who passed away in 2021 due to complications from his battle with cancer. Prior to joining the OMRF team, Weyrich had been at the University of Utah serving in numerous capacities since 1993, most recently in dual roles as vice president for research over Utah’s entire campus and president of the Utah Research Foundation. His research while at Utah focused on blood clotting as it relates to infectious disease, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and aging. VeloCity staff recently visited with OMRF’s new leader to learn more about him, both professionally and personally, and to hear his thoughts about OMRF and his new role at there.

VeloCityOKC: If you don’t mind, would you please provide our readers with your academic background?

Dr. Weyrich: I earned my undergraduate degree in biology from Baldwin Wallace College in Ohio, which is just southwest of Cleveland. I also played baseball there for four years. I got interested in exercise science and earned my master's degree at Wake Forest University in exercise science and kinesiology. Then I got very interested in the research side and decided to get a PhD in physiology and pharmacology at Wake Forest University’s Bowman Gray School of Medicine. That's the point where I really got involved in biomedical research and the blood clotting space. And then I followed that up with a post-doctoral fellowship in cardiovascular disease at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Did you know OMRF's former president and CEO Dr. Stephen Prescott?

Actually, one of my first mentors and colleagues was Steve Prescott. He and I go way back. He was my mentor when I first started as a Fellow [at Thomas Jefferson University] and we became friends, colleagues and co-authors on papers as my career progressed. He was phenomenal and super supportive, and he encouraged you to take risks and go after innovative ideas. He was charismatic, as you know, and just a lot of fun to work with. He was really good about being a mentor, but also being that person who passes the torch and fosters the development of young investigators like me who are trying to get an independent program.

Is that how you heard about the opening at OMRF? Through your relationship with Dr. Prescott and his family?

I knew Steve, of course, and have always kept an eye on that foundation, how special it is and how unique it is. It's so attractive because of the community, and there is a commonality that everybody believes in the mission of OMRF to advance human health. Everybody seems to be on board with that mission. So, when the position came open, I inquired and here we are today.

Were you surprised about what has transpired over the years at OMRF and its expanding role in helping people live healthy lives?

It’s really two things for me: the first is fundamental discoveries that have clinical application that impact people's lives. And it so happens that the research focus at OMRF, the pillars that look into things such as aging and metabolism, genetics, cardiovascular disease, blood clotting, and what they're trying to do in autoimmune with leukodystrophies, those types of research I have worked on as well. But the thing that really makes it so special is the community involvement with OMRF. Coming out here and talking to people, my wife and I saw how much the community loves OMRF; they are behind the mission.

How can Chamber members partner with you at OMRF and how can they be an asset to the foundation?

The first thing is informing us what we can do to engage the community even more than we are. Certainly, help us communicate the good works of OMRF regarding research discoveries that are going to advance human health. I think the other thing is to let them know that research is a great place that actually enhances economic development, including creating jobs and startup companies. The other thing I and our OMRF team are excited about is recruiting phenomenal investigators and growing OMRF. When we are trying to get young people to come here who are going to be our future generations of researchers and are going to make future discoveries, being able to work with you all in telling people about how great Oklahoma City is, how affordable it is and how the people here are really super nice.

What is your philosophy on leadership as you're coming into position at OMRF? What is your management style?

I listen, I get into the trenches, and I like to engage people. I like to listen to what I would call ideas and things that people want. But then I also like to execute it. For me, it is developing those relationships and listening to what the community needs from OMRF, what our investigators need from OMRF and then develop a strategic plan and go. I am also pretty good, I think, about recognizing things that work pretty well. So, I try to be very approachable and have an open-door policy.

If there's one thing that you want people to know about you that people don't know about, what would that be?

I do play a little guitar and used to be in a band. I hesitate to say that because then you might ask me to play. I'm not sure I'm ready for that!

My wife and I are big exercisers, too. If there are community runs and events that promote health, wellness and prevention, we would like to be involved in that.

And then the third thing is we are really big in the special needs community. Our son, who is 21, has a very rare disease, and he has beaten all the odds. We've been involved in the special needs community our whole lives with that. As we get involved in the Oklahoma City community, that is probably the number one FYI that people may not know, but they'll get to know when they meet our son and see what we do.

Is there one thing that maybe I didn't ask that you think is important to share with our readers?

Again, my family is truly humbled and grateful to have this opportunity. We were attracted to OMRF and Oklahoma City because of the people in Oklahoma and the opportunities here. I just would want to make sure that gets communicated from our family. Not sure why you all chose us, but we're pretty happy about it.