The grants awarded to Boyd Rorabaugh, Ph.D.; Michael Hambuchen, Ph.D.; Tim Long, Ph.D.; Ruhul Amin, Ph.D.; and Jeremy McAleer, Ph.D. will support research across a range of pharmaceutical sciences, strengthening Marshall’s role as a center for biomedical discovery.
Rorabaugh, chair of the School of Pharmacy’s Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, said 60% of the department’s faculty are now conducting federally funded research.
“Federal funding is imperative to advancing scientific research and expanding our understanding of complex health challenges,” Rorabaugh said. “It also underscores that our professors are making cutting-edge discoveries that have the potential to make meaningful differences in the lives of patients and communities.”
The funded research addresses significant and complex health challenges, including the development of new approaches to cancer treatment and prevention, combating antibiotic-resistant infections, understanding and addressing polysubstance misuse, and advancing our understanding of cannabinoid signaling and immune function.
The success of the five researchers reflects the breadth of research taking place within Marshall’s School of Pharmacy and the growing capacity of its faculty to compete successfully for highly competitive federal research dollars.
“This level of federal support is a tremendous accomplishment for our faculty and for the School of Pharmacy,” Rorabaugh said. “It provides our researchers with the resources they need to pursue innovative ideas, train the next generation of scientists and ultimately translate discoveries into better health outcomes.”
The awards also contribute to Marshall University’s broader research mission and its continued growth as a Carnegie R2 research institution, expanding opportunities for students to participate in federally funded research alongside faculty mentors.
Through its research programs, the School of Pharmacy is advancing scientific discovery while preparing pharmacists and researchers to address emerging health care challenges across West Virginia and beyond.