Western Kentucky University - Abstract

The participating faculty of the Biotechnology Center of Western Kentucky University includes a diverse group of talented and productive investigators who have research interests which are compatible with the research priorities of the NIH. However, none of these investigators currently receive NIH funding. The overall goal of the proposed project is to enhance the ability of these investigators to seek and obtain NIH funding for both individual and collaborative research efforts. The specific aims designed to achieve this goal are as follows: 1) To enhance faculty research productivity by providing paid technical assistance by either well-trained undergraduate or M.S.-level graduate students; 2) To facilitate the training of both undergraduate and M.S.-level graduate students in gene-based and/or bioinformatics-based research by providing payment for their technical assistance; 3) To enhance opportunities for faculty professional development by providing funds for travel to national scientific meetings; 4) To support the research activity of participating faculty and students by providing funds for necessary supplies and reagents; 5) To enhance the current research infrastructure in the areas of gene-based and/or bioinformatics at Western Kentucky University by providing funds for additional equipment; 6) To provide increased opportunities for NIH proposal development by awarding one summer fellowship per year to a faculty investigator who will write and submit an NIH grant proposal.

Dr. Cheryl D. Davis, Western Kentucky University, Principle Investigator
Dr. Joseph Bilotta, Western Kentucky University, Investigator