MU Researchers Awarded $16.3 Million from Stimulus Funds
Peer-reviewed grants will be used for 36 projects on education, health and engineering; more to come says MU official
September 3rd, 2009
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Last year, nearly $30 billion in stimulus funding to support research was released from the federal government to national agencies such as the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. Government officials hoped the money would be used for additional research while simultaneously creating jobs. To date, University of Missouri researchers have been awarded $16.3 million in grants for 36 projects in areas such as human health, education and agriculture.
“We’re very proud of our researchers who have, once again, demonstrated that they are among the nation’s best in their fields by being recognized with these peer-reviewed grants,” said Rob Duncan, vice chancellor for research. “This money is creating jobs right now that are needed to support this research, but also has the potential to create long-term jobs upon the discovery of new technologies to improve the quality of life in many different areas. As the funds continue to be released, we expect several other proposals to win funding.”
Some of current awards include:
- $707,404 to Helen Mullen, professor of immunology and rheumatology in the School of Medicine, to study excess fibrous tissue growth (fibrosis) that occurs in the thyroid and other organs in some autoimmune diseases.
- $430,000 to Hao Li, an assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, to study how nanoparticles might be used in joint replacements.
- $981,000 to the MU Swine Research Center for a study to explore using genetically modified pigs for organ-transplant studies.
- $50,304 to Stefanos Sarafianos, assistant professor of molecular microbiology and immunology and researcher at the Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, to study multi-drug resistant HIV.
“One of our missions, as the state’s land-grant university, is to be an economic engine for the people of Missouri,” MU Chancellor Brady Deaton said. “As our scientists continue looking for ways to improve our quality of life, they are making breakthrough discoveries that will have an impact not only on human health, but also help create new, high-paying jobs that will continue to support our economy well into the future.”
In the last fiscal year, 2008-09, MU researchers won more than $230 million in grant and contracts.