Sushihunter
Active Member
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20081114/NEWS0102/811140397
Salmon sperm swim into UC studies
Attracting outside grants is vital to school's future
By Cliff Peale • cpeale@enquirer.com • November 14, 2008
When Andrew Steckl was researching how to provide better light on mobile phone screens and GPS devices, he discovered a natural way to do it: Salmon sperm.
Those sperm are a rich source of DNA, which has electronic and optical properties that could help.
So Steckl, an electrical engineering professor at the University of Cincinnati, has used research funding of nearly $500,000 from the U.S. Air Force to try to convert the waste product into a solid state.
"We've been able to accomplish that but we just don't understand it yet," he said. "After that it's up to industry to see if they want to develop it further."
UC collected $353 million in research funds last year such as those Steckl uses. That's up $20 million from the year before, even as budgets for federal research agencies remained flat, and double the level of a decade ago.
The 5.9 percent increase for the year that ended June 30, announced Thursday by Vice President of Research Sandra Degen, provides more money for faculty members working with UC students and those working at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and other affiliates.
Other examples include a device to measure foot temperature to determine when amputation might be necessary and a "lab on a chip" to be used to speed results in doctors' offices.
With state budget cuts likely to restrain any growth in UC's operating budget, finding ways to attract outside funds, including federal grants and research money from corporations, is critical to UC's long-term financial future.
Funding has been flat for the National Institutes of Health, the major source of research funding for universities, the National Science Foundation and other federal agencies.
Donna Dean of UC consultant Lewis-Burke Associates said President-elect Barack Obama has supported a proposal to double basic research funding over the next decade, but that goal could be slowed by the bad economy and other spending priorities.
On the state level, operating funds will be level at best next year, but Ohio has continued to issue bonds to fund grant programs, UC lobbyist Margie Rolf said.
One new program will provide $150 million for research into clean coal and other advanced energy technologies.
While the College of Medicine received $123.9 million of the research funds, the year saw significant growth from the College of Engineering, up almost $12 million to $30.5 million, and the College of Arts & Sciences, up almost $5 million to $11 million.
UC also increased research funds from corporations by nearly 70 percent to $14.8 million. That includes the first installment of a $10.3 million, three-year deal with Ethicon Endo-Surgery in Blue Ash for research on gastric bypass surgery and obesity.
Degen said an uncertain environment for new state and federal funds means UC must continue to push applications through the pipeline. She said priorities for this year will include more undergraduate research opportunities.
"We found ways to find funding in other areas and we'll continue to focus on the quality of our applications," she said.
About $131 million of the total research funds came through Children's Hospital, where doctors hold UC faculty appointments. More than $214 million came through research on UC's campus.
Jim's Fishing Charters
www.JimsFishing.com
http://ca.youtube.com/user/Sushihunter250
Salmon sperm swim into UC studies
Attracting outside grants is vital to school's future
By Cliff Peale • cpeale@enquirer.com • November 14, 2008
When Andrew Steckl was researching how to provide better light on mobile phone screens and GPS devices, he discovered a natural way to do it: Salmon sperm.
Those sperm are a rich source of DNA, which has electronic and optical properties that could help.
So Steckl, an electrical engineering professor at the University of Cincinnati, has used research funding of nearly $500,000 from the U.S. Air Force to try to convert the waste product into a solid state.
"We've been able to accomplish that but we just don't understand it yet," he said. "After that it's up to industry to see if they want to develop it further."
UC collected $353 million in research funds last year such as those Steckl uses. That's up $20 million from the year before, even as budgets for federal research agencies remained flat, and double the level of a decade ago.
The 5.9 percent increase for the year that ended June 30, announced Thursday by Vice President of Research Sandra Degen, provides more money for faculty members working with UC students and those working at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center and other affiliates.
Other examples include a device to measure foot temperature to determine when amputation might be necessary and a "lab on a chip" to be used to speed results in doctors' offices.
With state budget cuts likely to restrain any growth in UC's operating budget, finding ways to attract outside funds, including federal grants and research money from corporations, is critical to UC's long-term financial future.
Funding has been flat for the National Institutes of Health, the major source of research funding for universities, the National Science Foundation and other federal agencies.
Donna Dean of UC consultant Lewis-Burke Associates said President-elect Barack Obama has supported a proposal to double basic research funding over the next decade, but that goal could be slowed by the bad economy and other spending priorities.
On the state level, operating funds will be level at best next year, but Ohio has continued to issue bonds to fund grant programs, UC lobbyist Margie Rolf said.
One new program will provide $150 million for research into clean coal and other advanced energy technologies.
While the College of Medicine received $123.9 million of the research funds, the year saw significant growth from the College of Engineering, up almost $12 million to $30.5 million, and the College of Arts & Sciences, up almost $5 million to $11 million.
UC also increased research funds from corporations by nearly 70 percent to $14.8 million. That includes the first installment of a $10.3 million, three-year deal with Ethicon Endo-Surgery in Blue Ash for research on gastric bypass surgery and obesity.
Degen said an uncertain environment for new state and federal funds means UC must continue to push applications through the pipeline. She said priorities for this year will include more undergraduate research opportunities.
"We found ways to find funding in other areas and we'll continue to focus on the quality of our applications," she said.
About $131 million of the total research funds came through Children's Hospital, where doctors hold UC faculty appointments. More than $214 million came through research on UC's campus.
Jim's Fishing Charters
www.JimsFishing.com
http://ca.youtube.com/user/Sushihunter250
