AAMC/UNMC leaders express gratitude for stimulus funds

Chloe Lamprecht, left, a 12-year-old from Bellevue prepares to speak at a Washington news conference Wednesday to praise government leaders for the passage of an economic recovery package that allocated hundreds of millions of dollars for medical research. Lamprecht, who has Type 1 diabetes, said research provides hope for those with diseases such as diabetes. (Photo provided by the American Association of Medical Colleges)

Chloe Lamprecht of Bellevue is 12-years-old and has Type 1 diabetes.

On Wednesday, she joined members of the American Association Medical Colleges (AAMC) at a Washington news conference to thank President Obama and Congress for passing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. The act allocated hundreds of millions for biomedical research.

Lamprecht praised government leaders and the nation’s scientists for their support of biomedical research that may one day lead to cures for diseases such as diabetes.

“I would urge everyone to keep doing what they’re doing because we’re getting closer to a cure,” she said.

Aside from supporting lifesaving research, ARRA also has stimulated economic development, AAMC leaders said at the news conference, which was held on National Medical Research Day.

“I would urge everyone to keep doing what they’re doing because we’re getting closer to a cure.” Chloe Lamprecht

UNMC’s Jennifer Larsen, M.D., associate dean for clinical research in the College of Medicine, and Mark Bowen, director of UNMC Government Relations, attended the news conference. They lauded ARRA’s passage and urged Obama to stick to his plan to use NIH funding as a pillar for economic development.

“Research funding not only represents jobs in Nebraska but is an investment in our future, our future health and our future economic health as it often represents new business ventures, as well,” Dr. Larsen said.

Since the act was passed in the spring, scientists at UNMC have received nearly $10 million in ARRA funds.

“We are truly grateful for the wise and thoughtful acts of President Obama, as well as Sen. Ben Nelson, who have made this possible,” said Tom Rosenquist, Ph.D., vice chancellor for research at UNMC.

Major ARRA grants received by UNMC scientists include:

• Awards totaling more than $1 million for James Turpen, Ph.D., to further develop the Nebraska Research Network in Functional Genomics;
  
• A $1 million supplement to Irving H. Zucker, Ph.D., to investigate the role statin drugs play in improved heart performance during heart failure; and
  
• A $1 million challenge grant awarded to Carol Casey, Ph.D., to find therapeutic strategies to reduce the severity and progression of alcoholic liver disease.

ARRA funds help researchers find answers to pressing health problems and create high-paying jobs across the nation, said Dr. Rosenquist, who noted that studies show $1 million in grant funding supports more than 30 jobs.

“These are excellent, challenging jobs with a future,” he said.