One area benefiting from the couple’s gift is therapeutics involving ribonucleic acid (RNA) — a revolutionary field often described as the design of “biological software.” Leading researchers at the Center for RNA Therapeutics are developing cutting-edge applications that leverage RNA’s ability to encode proteins to regulate immune responses, target cancers and combat inflammatory diseases. The center’s director, Dr. John P. Cooke, says, “With RNA, we can rapidly create therapies tailored to the specific needs of our patients. This funding allows us to delve deeper into using RNA to enhance cell therapies for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and cancer.”

In collaboration with colleagues across Houston Methodist’s centers of excellence, the RNA program is also positioned to amplify the effectiveness of treatments in cardiovascular medicine, neuroscience and gastroenterology. “We see this platform as a tide that raises all boats, enabling breakthroughs across multiple disciplines,” Dr. Cooke adds.

The Canterburys’ generosity also strengthens the potential of the Center for Health & Nature to enhance patient lives. “The study of the healing power of nature is still a bit beyond what most National Institutes of Health funding agencies will consider,” explains Jay E. Maddock, PhD, director of the center. “Private gifts allow us to do research that the federal government is not yet ready to fund. We are delighted that our work has real-world applications and that Houston Methodist can be the first hospital system in the U.S. to test these interventions.”

Dedicated to understanding how natural environments impact health, experts at the center conduct research that showcases the importance of spending time in nature for wellness and healing. The benefits of making nature an important component of wellness are widespread and include improved mental health, reduced cardiovascular risk and bolstered immune system functioning. The Canterburys’ gift will help support many studies, such as examination of the effect that scenes and sounds of nature have in oncology infusion rooms; the role of nature exposure in reducing physician burnout; and ways to connect Houstonians to parks, zoos, botanical gardens and other green spaces.

For his part, Dr. Cooke describes the serendipity of the collaborations made possible by philanthropy as something akin to the iconic phrase from the movie Field of Dreams: “If you build it, they will come.”

In other words, the infrastructure and vision cultivated at Houston Methodist serve to attract both the talent and support needed to advance life-changing innovations. “What we’ve built here — a cooperative, translational research environment supported by an engaged community — makes these advancements possible,” he points out. “This is what drew me to Houston Methodist in the first place: the shared belief that with the right support, we can make our biggest dreams a reality.”