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Publication Date

9-1-2012

Abstract

I'm pictured here at the site of what will be Wayne State University's largest and one of the most exciting research facilities project to date, the Multidisciplinary Biomedical Research Building (MBRB). In October 2012, the university broke ground on the $93 million faCility that will house 500 researchers from WSU's School of Medicine, College of Engineering, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the College of Nursing, the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and the School of Social Work, along with scientists and clinicians from the Henry Ford Health System. The MBRB is located adjacent to TechTown and is designed to bring together researchers, clinicians and students from a range of disciplines to develop solutions to some of the region's most important health problems and to bring these solutions to the people who need them. The MBRB is part of a larger initiative to enhance research infrastructure at the university and accelerate our research discoveries and translation of these discoveries beyond the laboratory. In late 2011, a $76 million expansion and renovation of the chemistry complex, now known as the A. Paul Schaap Chemistry Building, was completed to support one of our most successful units. Renovations to research laboratories in the Physics building complement these enhancements and will improve research and teaching spaces for both faculty and students.

These improvements are contributing to the growing research enterprise. In FY 2011, our research expenditures topped nearly $260 million, the highest in the university's history and an increase of over 2.1% from the previous year. The national spotlight on our medical and life sciences, chemistry, physics, psychology, computer science, engineering, social work and the arts reflects our progress.

Even in difficult economic times and shrinking federal support for research, Wayne State faculty continue to be recognized through success in securing research funding. Recent notable awards include a $5.8 million grant from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke for work related to early pharmacotherapy guided by biomarkers in autism; a $5.6 million grant from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute for weight loss intervention procedures of black adolescents; a $3.1 million grant from U.S. Army Medical Research for prevention of blast-related injuries; funding of over $3 million from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences for maximizing student development; and over $3 million from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute for research on risky family environments and childhood asthma. Information about these exciting grants and many others can be found by visiting our research website, www.research.wayne.edu.

Finally, research at Wayne State is not limited to faculty and graduate students. The university takes great pride in its many opportunities for undergraduates to participate in relevant research that engages students as they embark on building their career paths. As part of a research university, undergraduates have many opportunities to benefit from a research-intensive curriculum and hands-on projects that integrate discovery and learning. Programs such as the Initiative for Maximizing Student Development provides undergraduates with opportunities to develop academic and research skills, and helps graduate students gain experience in teaching, mentoring and course development. Every year, Wayne State students showcase their research in WSU's Undergraduate Research Conference. Wayne State students also regularly display their work at state and national forums.

Through all of these research efforts, Wayne State University continues its long commitment to our local community and beyond, and continues to be one of the nation's pre-eminent public research institutions in an urban setting. I hope you enjoy this issue of New Science that details some of the exciting research projects which aim to add to the quality of the lives of many.

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