Through its Transformational Project Award, the American Heart Association supports “highly innovative, high-impact projects that build on work in progress that could ultimately lead to critical discoveries or major advancements that will accelerate the field of cardiovascular and/or cerebrovascular research.”
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Jinju Wang, Ph.D., assistant professor of biomedical sciences at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, has received a Transformational Project Award from the American Heart Association to evaluate the potential effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) modified exosomes in hypertension-related ischemic stroke.
ACE2 is a protein that regulates blood pressure by breaking down angiotensin II, a peptide that narrows blood vessels. By delivering ACE2, these exosomes can help reduce blood pressure by converting angiotensin II into its less harmful form. Wang’s new three-year $300,000 grant (24TPA1291189) will utilize a transgenic mouse model with hypertension to test the effects of these modified exosomes.
“The rising incidence of stroke among the aging and hypertensive population underscores the pressing need for innovative ischemic stroke therapies, especially for elderly individuals,” said Wang, principal investigator on the study. “This study introduces ACE2-modified exosomes as a promising novel therapeutic avenue for ischemic stroke in the… Read More
A new endowment fund established by the West Virginia Order of the Eastern Star will support Alzheimer’s research efforts at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, aiming to advance scientific understanding and develop effective treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.
Founded in the mid-19th century by Dr. Rob Morris, the Order of the Eastern Star is a fraternal organization with approximately 10,000 chapters across 18 countries and 500,000 members worldwide, including 65 chapters and nearly 10,000 members in West Virginia. Each year, during its annual Grand Chapter Session, the Order’s Worthy Grand Matron selects a special project or charity to support. In October 2022, Teresa D. Cisco was elected Worthy Grand Matron and chose to focus on Alzheimer’s research, driven by a deeply personal connection to the cause. … Read More
She is a Mountaineer by birth and education, and Emily Calandrelli, set to become West Virginia’s youngest and second female astronaut to go into space, will also carry the Marshall University story as she advances her mission.
A Morgantown native and West Virginia University graduate as well as an Emmy-nominated television host and best-selling author, Calandrelli is scheduled to travel to space on a privately-owned Blue Origin spaceship owned by billionaire Jeff Bezos.
The trip is being partially funded by the Wing 2 Wing Foundation, a nonprofit created by Marshall University President Brad D. Smith and Alys Smith, attorney and philanthropist. Calandrelli said that she is grateful for the support of the Smiths’ foundation and will use her platforms to promote access to education including the Marshall For All, Marshall Forever program, which helps students graduate debt-free from Marshall University.
Affordable access to education is essential for a student to reach their full potential – I was no different,” said Calandrelli. “Because of an undergraduate scholarship that covered my tuition, I was free to focus my energy, creativity and mental capacity on academics. If it weren’t for that scholarship and support, I wouldn’t have been able to graduate at the top of my class, and I would not be where I am today.”
In a statement announcing their partnership, Brad and Alys Smith praised Calandrelli for her efforts to reach for the stars.… Read More
The Marshall University School of Pharmacy is offering the nation’s first 1+4 Accelerated Pathway for high school students aspiring to become pharmacists. This innovative program is tailored for high-achieving students with a passion for pharmacy, enabling them to fast-track their education and career.
The 1+4 Accelerated Pathway allows exceptional high school students to complete one year of undergraduate coursework followed by direct entry into the Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) program, shortening the traditional timeline by a full year. Students will receive personalized advising, access to state-of-the-art facilities and a pre-pharmacy boot camp to ensure their success.
“We are thrilled to be able to offer this accelerated pathway for students. Being the first pharmacy school in the nation to do so is just another way Marshall continues to innovate and provide value for our students,” said School of Pharmacy Dean Eric Blough.
The 1+4 Accelerated Pathway is open to high school students who meet the following criteria:
· An ACT Math score of 24 (or equivalent SAT/placement score)
· An ACT English score of 21 (or equivalent SAT score)
· A minimum unweighted high school GPA of 3.5
Qualified students will be invited to interview for conditional admission into the PharmD program. Successful candidates will transition seamlessly into the PharmD program, provided they maintain a minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.3.
High school counselors are encouraged to share this opportunity with their students.… Read More
Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Co-Chair Gayle Manchin visited Marshall University today for a roundtable with representatives from more than a half dozen colleges and universities located throughout the Appalachian Region focusing on efforts to create a model for cyber security education that can be scaled throughout the country.
The project is funded by the ARC’s ARISE grant initiative that drives large-scale, regional economic transformation through multi-state collaboratives in the Appalachian region.
Manchin said collaboration among institutions in the region will have a powerful impact in delivering a trained cyber workforce.
“Appalachia’s academic institutions are integral to the growth of our region’s cyber security workforce,” said Manchin. “Cyber security is an industry that requires a continuum of learning. By collaborating across community colleges and four-year universities, the academic institutions at today’s roundtable will give Appalachians the skillsets and knowledge they need to obtain careers in this growing field and establish our region as a stronghold for cyber security nationwide.”
Attending this morning’s roundtable were individuals from Mississippi State University, University of Alabama-Huntsville, Tennessee Tech University, West Virginia State University, Mountwest Community and Technical College, Ashland Community and Technical College and Marshall University, among others from the ARC.… Read More
Marshall Health welcomes Jeffrey R. Hawk, D.O., and Evan McClanahan, M.D., to its team of primary care and occupational providers at Marshall Health Network.
Hawk is a board-certified family medicine physician with more than 25 years of experience in primary care and occupational medicine. He earned his medical degree from Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan, followed by a family practice residency at Youngstown Osteopathic Hospital in Youngstown, Ohio. He also served as medical director of Forum Health’s “Work Med” program, which provided occupational medicine services to local steel industry employees. Hawk is certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Family Practice.
Hawk is accepting new occupational medicine patients at Marshall Family Medicine, a provider-based department of Cabell Huntington Hospital, at 1600 Medical Center Drive in Huntington. To schedule an appointment, call 304-691-1100. … Read More
The Marshall University Foundation has announced the establishment of the Thomas B. Wright III Scholarship to benefit students in the Lewis College of Business and Brad D. Smith Schools of Business. This scholarship is generously endowed by Thomas B. Wright III.
After earning a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in management and economics from Marshall, Wright went on to earn a Master of Science degree in administration from Central Michigan University.
Following his education, Wright joined Hallmark where he served in roles as director of corporate staffing, director of HR in a seven-plant manufacturing division, director of corporate diversity, manager of college relations, and manager of affirmative action planning.
He was recruited in 1996 to join Thorn Americas as vice president of field human resources.
In 1999, Wright was recruited back to Hallmark Cards as the director of HR – corporate divisions and served in that capacity until his promotion to senior vice president and corporate officer of human resources. As the senior vice president and corporate officer
of human resources, he held responsibility for human resources in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Mexico.
Following a career leading his own firm, Tom Wright Consulting, Wright was recruited to join EPR Properties where he performed the role of senior vice president of human resources and administration and then transitioned to an executive advisory role in the company for the
CEO before his first stab at retirement.… Read More
The Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center (MAMC) will receive more than $7 million from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to develop and accelerate the implementation of manufacturing apprenticeship programs nationwide, federal officials announced Thursday.
MAMC’s new Apprenticeship Works Manufacturing National Hub will:
· Establish a National Training Academy in West Virginia to rapidly launch new apprenticeship programs while providing resources and support to ensure the programs’ success
· Collaborate with industry partners to develop new occupational standards and training to meet the evolving needs of the U.S. manufacturing sector
· Provide technical assistance to make it easier for manufacturers to establish, maintain and grow registered apprenticeship programs to bridge critical skills gaps in American manufacturing
· Train employers how to overcome workforce shortages by recruiting individuals from groups traditionally underrepresented in the manufacturing sector
· Boost the number of pre-apprenticeship programs to create a pipeline of skilled talent to feed into registered apprenticeships
· Expand the program to other industry hubs across the country
Services will be provided at no cost to employers.… Read More
Dr. Ben Eng, an associate professor of Marketing and Entrepreneurship and executive director of the iCenter, the university’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation, has been named interim dean of Marshall’s Lewis College of Business.
He takes on the new role July 12. Dean Don Capener has decided to step down from the position to increase flexibility and grow his strategy consulting activity. Capener also will join the faculty in the Lewis College of Business.
The university will launch a national search during the 2024-25 academic year to find a permanent replacement.
Eng joined the Marshall University faculty in 2014, and along with teaching and directing the iCenter has also been serving as assistant provost for academic engagement and innovation since 2022. He has a Ph.D. in Business Administration from Southern Illinois University, an MBA from Marshall University, and a Bachelor of Arts from James Madison University. Eng received the Pickens-Queen Teacher Award, which is Marshall University’s highest teaching award for newer faculty members in 2018 and the following year received the Robert P. Alexander Mentorship Award, presented to faculty in the College of Business for excellence in mentoring students.
Prior to working in academia, Eng worked in the entertainment industry for United Talent Agency, a leading Hollywood talent agency.… Read More
Paulette S. Wehner, M.D., has been named vice dean for education at the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine effective August 1, announced David Gozal, M.D., M.B.A., Ph.D. (Hon), Marshall University vice president for health affairs and dean of the medical school.
In this newly created role, Wehner will oversee education and curriculum at the graduate, professional and post-graduate levels at the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine. This includes the areas of medical education, health sciences graduate programs and graduate medical education, as well as admissions, student advising and student life. She will also continue in her role as Designated Institutional Official (DIO), ensuring the school’s compliance with Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) requirements.
Through its school of medicine, Marshall University offers more than 10 advanced degree programs, including Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Philosophy and a series of master’s degrees. In addition, the School of Medicine provides postgraduate training to 300 resident physicians and fellows through its 28 graduate medical education programs.
“This reorganization acknowledges and addresses the fundamental shift in health sciences education nationwide,” Gozal said. “Our capacity to train future health care providers and researchers to embrace and lead in innovative medical practices is paramount. By restructuring our leadership, we are ensuring that our programs remain at the forefront of education, equipping our students and trainees with the skills and knowledge they need to excel in an ever-evolving health care landscape.”… Read More
The Marshall University Office of Career Education, which works to support students and alumni in their career search and advancement, has received a $12,500 gift from the Enterprise Mobility Foundation™.
The gift will be used to boost the #HerdHired Career Experience Grant, a program dedicated to helping students offset the costs of internships, research projects and other career-related opportunities.
Students who wish to apply should visit www.marshall.edu/gainexperience for information about the program and the grant application. Deadline for the fall semester application is August 2.
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Caption: Marshall University Director of Career Education Cristina McDavis, (right) accepts a $12,500 gift from the Enterprise Mobility Foundation, represented by Caitlin Thompson, on June 28 at Marshall for the #HerdHired Career Experience Grant.… Read More
After 20 years of service, Dr. Bruce Day has retired from the Marshall University Research Corporation (MURC) as director of research integrity, effective July 1, 2024.
His tenure has been marked by significant contributions to advancing research ethics and integrity within the institution and beyond.
Over the course of his career, Day was instrumental in leading Marshall in obtaining the highest accreditation for human subject research and implementing robust policies and procedures that have ensured adherence to the highest standards of research integrity. His leadership has been pivotal in fostering a culture of ethical research practices and has greatly enhanced the reputation of MURC in academic and research communities.
“Bruce’s commitment to upholding the integrity of research has been exemplary,” said Dr. John Maher, vice president of research at Marshall. “His expertise and dedication have been invaluable to Marshall University, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude for his years of service.”
In recognition of Day’s contributions, MURC will host a retirement celebration on July 12 at noon in Applied Engineering Complex room 4001, where colleagues and friends will have an opportunity to express their appreciation.
Simultaneously, MURC announces the appointment of Brett Williams as the new director of research integrity, effective July 1. Williams brings over 12 years of experience in research compliance and integrity as a Certified IRB Coordinator (CIC). Williams previously served as a clinical research regulatory coordinator and is currently serving as the IRB Coordinator for the Medical IRB (IRB#1) at MURC.… Read More
