$6 million awarded for creation of biomedical research network

BIOMEDICAL NETWORK PARTNERS: Speakers at the press conference announcing the NIH grant are (from left): Biology Dept. Chairs Kenneth P. Kinsey of Rhode Island College and Michael S. Zavada of Providence College; and URI Assoc. Biomedical Sciences Professor and project assistant director Nasser H. Zawia, College of Pharmacy Dean Donald E. Letendre, President Robert L. Carothers, Biomedical Sciences Chair and project director Zahir A. Shaikh, and Asst. Biomedical Sciences Professor Roberta S. King.

BIOMEDICAL NETWORK PIONEERS: URI Professor Zahir A. Shaikh, chair of URI’s Department of Biomedical Sciences in its College of Pharmacy, left, and Associate Professor of Biomedical Sciences, Nasser H. Zawia.

$6 million awarded for creation of biomedical research network

For the first time in Rhode Island, researchers from six universities and colleges will collaborate to advance biomedical research as a result of a $6 million federal grant awarded to the University of Rhode Island from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The University was selected by NIH’s National Center for Research Resources to develop a statewide network of biomedical researchers to compete for NIH grants and to increase the biomedical research manpower in the state. The network will draw from such diverse disciplines as toxicology, pharmacology, chemistry, biology, pathology, psychology, computer science, mathematics, biomedical engineering and physical education.

The new network consists of 37 faculty members from URI, Rhode Island College, Brown Medical School, Roger Williams University, Bryant and Providence Colleges. Senior faculty from URI and Brown will serve as mentors for junior faculty focusing on various biomedical research topics. Twenty-one URI faculty members provide the backbone for the project team.

“At a time when the state’s economy is challenged, this investment in building scientific infrastructure is very welcome,” said URI President Robert L. Carothers. “We’re very proud of the faculty at URI and around the state for their leadership.”

“The awarding of this grant represents tremendous confidence in our ability to foster cutting-edge research in the biomedical sciences and the positive outcomes that can be achieved through collaborative efforts in such endeavors,” said Donald E. Letendre, dean of URI’s College of Pharmacy.

“It underscores the capabilities of our faculty who will serve as mentors as we strive to build a strong network of researchers in the biomedical arena,” Letendre added. “Ultimately, our efforts to pursue high quality education and research programs benefit the citizens of the state through advances in health care delivery.”

According to the R. I. Economic Development Corp., there are 99 biotechnology and biomedical firms in Rhode Island employing more than 3,400 individuals. The companies range from large pharmaceutical companies with operations in the state, including Wyeth Pharmaceuticals and Immunex Corp., to smaller businesses involved in biomedical research and engineering, manufacture of medical devices, and medical and hazardous waste packaging materials.

Professor Zahir A. Shaikh, chair of the College of Pharmacy’s Dept. of Biomedical Sciences, and Associate Professor of Biomedical Sciences Nasser H. Zawia are the director and assistant director, respectively, of the three-year project.

“The grant will provide faculty an excellent opportunity to not only strengthen their existing links, but also to build a broader network of biomedical researchers within Rhode Island,” Shaikh said.

“Undergraduates will be heavily involved because we need to develop a highly educated labor force to work in Rhode Island’s expanding pharmaceutical and biomedical science industries,” Zawia said.

By Dave Lavallee