Marshall Medical School gets $16 million NIH research grant

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- The National Institutes of Health on Thursday awarded Marshall University's Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine a $16 million grant through which Marshall, as lead institution, will work in partnership with West Virginia University to support a research network made up of seven of the state's undergraduate colleges and universities.

The 5-year grant is the largest NIH grant in Marshall history, according to Dr. L. Howard Aulick, associate dean for research for Marshall's Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine and vice president for research at MU.

"This grant will increase the state's capacity to do competitive biomedical research," Aulick said. "It will bring new faculty and new technology to the participating schools, and it will give their students the opportunity to do front-line biomedical research on cardiovascular disease and cancer, which are huge issues for our state.

"The medical schools at Marshall and WVU will predominantly play a mentor role, not only helping the schools improve their research capacity but also helping them learn the intricacies of research administration," he said.

The new grant builds on efforts begun in 2001, when an NIH grant to Marshall allowed Marshall, WVU and other West Virginia colleges and universities to create a research network.

"Through the West Virginia Biomedical Infrastructure Network, we have developed a program to help state undergraduate institutions train students and faculty in important biomedical research," said Dr. John Prescott, dean of the West Virginia University School of Medicine. "WVU and Marshall researchers, faculty and students from around the state are working together to test better drugs, therapies and preventive strategies for disease, many of which are prevalent in West Virginia. Our award from the National Institute of Health will allow us to continue to build on the network's initial successes, and help educate and prepare future West Virginia researchers."

Dr. Gary O. Rankin, chair of Marshall's Department of Pharmacology, is the principal investigator for the project. In addition to Marshall and WVU, the participating schools are Fairmont State University, West Liberty State College, West Virginia State University, Wheeling Jesuit University, Bluefield State College, Alderson-Broaddus College and Shepherd University.

"This grant will help the predominantly undergraduate colleges and universities advance to the point that they can successfully compete for research funds at the national level," he said. "It will provide increased opportunities for students in West Virginia to see good biomedical science research in action. By attracting good students into graduate biomedical sciences programs at Marshall and WVU, we can develop a better-trained workforce that will be a major asset in economic development for West Virginia."

"This program reflects the vision we have for Marshall University as a lead institution for biomedical research in the region," said Marshall President Dan Angel. "We are pleased to work with colleagues at West Virginia University and throughout the state to bring about the kinds of projects that will lead to healthier lives for our citizens."

"The accelerating pace of biomedical discovery is changing the way medicine will be practiced," said Dr. Charles H. McKown Jr., dean of the school of medicine and Marshall's vice president for health sciences. "In addition to this recent award from the NIH, Senator [Robert C.] Byrd has been very responsive to our visionary efforts to develop the infrastructure that will allow Marshall and West Virginia to benefit from this booming field. The Robert C. Byrd Biotechnology Science Center initiated by the medical school and the Edwards Comprehensive Cancer Center now under construction position us well for medical advances, educational excellence and economic development.

"This $16 million is just the beginning," he added. "West Virginia can expect to see more tangible results in the future -- the very near future."

The researchers participating in the grant, by institution, are:

MU: Dr. Gary Rankin, Mike McCarthy, Dr. Elizabeth Murray, Dr. Don Primerano

WVU: Dr. Jim Sheil, Dr. Charles Harris, Dr. Mark Reasor, Dr. Robert Griffith, Dr. Mary Davis

Fairmont State University: Dr. Mark Flood, Dr. Albert Magro

West Liberty State College: Dr. Robert Kreisberg, Dr. Jarrett Aguilar

West Virginia State University: Dr. Robert Harris

Wheeling Jesuit University: Dr. Robert Shurina

Bluefield State College: Dr. Ethel Gordon