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 for our scientists to take their work from the bench to the bedside,” Rorabaugh said. “It also underscores that our professors are doing cutting-edge discovery that has the potential to make a meaningful difference 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 and understanding and addressing polysubstance misuse.
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.