MU Biomedical - News

 

Marshall Receives NIH Grant of 17.8 Million Dollars for Research  

Dateline: Huntington, WV
Release Date: 6/9/2009

Congratulations to Gary O. Rankin, Ph.D. and his WV-INBRE team for receiving the National Institutes of Health (NIH) competitive renewal grant of 17.8 million dollars!  The grant will be for five years and will help continue a multidisciplinary research network with a scientific focus that will build and strengthen the lead and partner institutions (primarily undergraduate institutions) across West Virginia.  “(This money) establishes research in colleges and universities around this state where research was never happening,” Dr. Rankin said.  “It will lead to more dollars going to these universities, which will create new jobs.”

The WV-INBRE phase I was of great assistance to these WV institutions and the biomedical research infrastructure and network as a whole.  Institutions have been able to purchase much needed research equipment, to be more competitive for funding, and to initiate more research projects.  Additionally, when asked if he thought phase one of WV-INBRE was successful, Dr. Rankin noted “I think we have made quite a bit of progress.  We have seen a cultural change; the value of research has been recognized.  There is a greater appreciation for research as part of faculty career development and it is included when evaluating faculty for promotion and tenure.”  With the newly awarded NIH funds for WV-INBRE phase II, these experiences will continue and enhance the science and technology knowledge of the state’s workforce. 


Another benefit of WV-INBRE is the highly successful summer research experience that takes place at the lead institution, Marshall University, and the partner lead institution, West Virginia University.  This nine-week summer research experience is designed to provide research opportunities for undergraduate students and help serve as a pipeline for undergraduate students to continue health-related research careers.  

Ten interns are currently conducting research with their mentors at Marshall University and nineteen are participating in the WV-INBRE program at West Virginia University.  At Marshall University,
Dr. Elsa Mangiarua coordinates a schedule for the students to augment their research experience.  The students attend workshops concerning: biosafety, chemical safety, animal care, radiation safety, biomedical career opportunities, scientific communication, and graduate school.  At the end of the experience the interns will present their research findings at a research symposium, to be held at Marshall and WVU on alternate years. 

Below is a list of Marshall’s WV-INBRE participants and their laboratories.  To learn more about the ongoing research in these labs, please click the links provided on Marshall’s Biomedical Sciences website faculty directory.

 

Don Bertolotti from WV State University – Dr. Larry Grover

Amanda Cochran from Bluefield State University – Dr. Pier Paolo Claudio
Elisa Evans from University of Charleston – Dr. Richard M. Niles

Kayla Fazio from Bluefield State University – Dr. Elaine Hardman

Brittany Greene from University of Charleston – Dr. Gary Rankin

Amelia Lloyd from University of Charleston – Dr. Hongwei Yu

Sumanth Manohar from WV State University – Dr. Maiyon Park

Kayanna Sayre from University of Charleston – Dr. Eric Blough

Donald Weller from University of Charleston – Dr. Piyali Dasgupta

Andrew White from University of Charleston – Dr. Philippe Georgel

 

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