UNMC received more than $16.8 million in federal research grants during the first three months of fiscal year 2002-03. The first quarter includes the months of July, August and September. This represents a $2.8 million increase over the first quarter total of $14 million the previous year.
Building a world-class foundation
“After crossing the $50 million mark last year, and looking at the substantial first quarter opening this year, I think the university is clearly sustaining solid momentum,” said Thomas Rosenquist, Ph.D., vice chancellor for research for UNMC. “Nothing brings success like success. The ability of our faculty and researchers to develop projects and obtain the grants needed to realize their goals is the foundation of UNMC’s reputation as a world-class academic research institution.
“The commitment and faith in our university that resulted in the new Durham Research Center and the reputation of our bioterrorism response systems that led to the recent visit by Gov. Tom Ridge, Homeland Security advisor, all spring from the same roots — research, investigation, grant acquisition and the ability to do it again and again. The university’s first quarter results are an excellent launch for what we anticipate will be another outstanding year.”
Broad range of research activities
The list of recipients who received grants worth $100,000 or more reflects a wide diversity of research activities. Investigators at the Center for Neurovirology and Neurodegenerative Diseases (CNND) received more than $1.3 million combined. The scientists include Howard E. Gendelman, M.D., David T. Purtilo Distinguished Chair of Pathology and Microbiology and founder and director of CNND; Yuri Persidsky, Ph.D., deputy director of CNND and chief of neuropathology; and Anuja Ghorpade, Ph.D., chief of the laboratory of cellular immunology and head of the Rapid Autopsy Program. Their individual projects range from the study of HIV dementia and the effect of alcohol on HIV immune responses in AIDS patients, to a training program in the neuroimmunology of neurodegeneration — the first training grant in the neurosciences awarded to UNMC.
Irving Zucker, M.D., Theodore F. Hubbard Chair of Cardiovascular Physiology and Biophysics, received $1.4 million combined for two separate projects involving the study of chronic heart failure.
Oksana Lockridge, Ph.D., associate professor in the Eppley Research Institute’s molecular cell structure and biology program, received $427,003 to study gene and protein therapy for poisoning by organophosphorus agents. The project seeks ways to protect people from the toxic effects of chemical nerve agents. After 30 years of research, investigators have found an excellent protective agent, a human enzyme called butyrylcholinesterase. It works by scavenging poisons and must be injected through a needle. To simplify the delivery of this protective agent, the goal is now to find a method that would allow application through the skin in a salve.
Pascale H. Lane, M.D., associate chair for research and associate professor of pediatrics in the nephrology section, received $416,920 to study how puberty affects the kidneys of diabetic patients. The project examines hormonal changes of puberty to see if they play a role in promoting kidney failure. Diabetes is epidemic in the United States and hits hard in many minority populations. It is the most common cause of kidney failure in the world, and it causes approximately half of all kidney failures in the country. Kidney failure does not typically occur until after the person is an adult, but there is evidence that this process begins in childhood.
Ann M. Berger, Ph.D., associate professor in the College of Nursing department of adult health and illness, received $312,375 to study interventions for fatigue in breast cancer patients. Fatigue is the most frequent and distressing symptom reported to oncology nurses by patients receiving chemotherapy. When nurses look for advice for managing fatigue to give to their patients, they find few interventions that have been tested and found to be effective. The primary purpose of this controlled clinical trial is to promote sleep and reduce fatigue in women with breast cancer receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. The intervention is comprised of sleep hygiene counseling, relaxation therapy, sleep restriction and stimulus control techniques.