Biomedical News
June 2003, Vol. 21 • No. 6
Table
of Content
PIBS
Welcomes 5th Entering Class
The Program in Biomedical
Sciences (PIBS) will be welcoming its fifth class of graduate
students in September. Graduate students play a vital role in
the research efforts at the Medical School. The class includes
ten Rackham/NSF fellowship recipients, six Dean’s or Bernard
Maas Fellowships, and two Honorable Mention recipients of the
National Science Foundation Predoctoral Fellowships. Please
join PIBS in welcoming a new group of scholars! The Medical
School also congratulates current PIBS students June Pais and
Ryan Sargent for winning NSF Fellowships and recognizes John
Perkowski and Lisa Privette for achieving Honorable Mention
in this prestigious national competition.
Martha
Ludwig, Ph.D. Elected to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS)
The Office of Research and Graduate Studies congratulates Dr.
Ludwig on her election to the NAS. NAS members are elected in
recognition of their distinguished and continuing achievements
in original scientific research. NAS members act as official
advisers to the federal government on questions involving science
and technology. Election to membership in the Academy is considered
one of the highest honors a scientist can receive.
Burnham
Named New Director of Federal Research Relations
Mark Burnham is the new Director of Federal Relations for Research
and Assistant Director of the UM Washington, D.C. office.
According to Vice President for Research Fawwaz Ulaby, Burnham
emerged as the lead candidate in a national search for this position.
"We are delighted that he has accepted our offer to play
a major leadership role in our Washington office. As both a Michigan
native and Michigan alumni, he is excited about the prospect of
representing the University of Michigan," Ulaby said.
Burnham earned his undergraduate degree at the UM. He then worked
as a Congressional Office Senior Legislative Assistant until he
attended the Boston College Law School. He received his J.D. in
1995 and became a staff attorney in a Washington, DC law firm.
In recent years, Burnham has been a professional lobbyist, specializing
in the representation of academic and research organizations.
Ulaby explained, in announcing Burnham's appointment, "over
this time, he has developed considerable knowledge of both the
depth and the breadth of federal research issues, including an
excellent understanding of the various federal science agencies,
the Office of Management and Budget and, of course, Congress."
Ulaby cited Burnham's ability to "convey complex issues to
Congressional staff, Administration officials and the academic
community, in a manner these diverse audiences view as both helpful
and reliable."
Over the last several years, he has developed substantial relationships
with key congressional staff members, and has established a reputation
for integrity by providing substantive, useful information in
a straightforward manner. He has developed strong relationships
with many university and association representatives in Washington.
His legal training and experience have enabled him to actively
participate in the development of a number of community positions
on intellectual property, sovereign immunity and technology transfer
issues, Ulaby added.
Burnham can be reached in Washington at (202) 554-0578. His email
is: mmbmab@umich.edu.
Maria
Silveria, M.D. Receives Robert Wood
Johnson Award
The Office of Research and Graduate Studies recognizes that Maria
Silveria, M.D., General Medicine, was awarded funding for her
research from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Gereralist Physician
Faculty Scholars Program. Congratulations Dr. Silveria.
Graduate
Students Receive Prestigious U-M Awards
The Office of Research and Graduate Studies recognizes two outstanding
U-M graduate student award recipients. May Williams, Cellular
and Molecular Biology Training Program, received the Susan Lipschutz
Award. Scientist Training Program fellow, Gallia Levy received
the Rackham Graduate School Distinguished Dissertation Award.
Congratulations to them both.
Deborah
Eadie Receives Distinguished Research Administrator Award
The Office of Research and Graduate Studies recognizes that Deborah
Eadie, Research Administrator for the Department of Ophthalmology
and Visual Sciences received a Distinguished Research Administrator
Award. Deborah’s contributions to the department are varied,
from grant writing, to helping a foreign postdoctoral student
find housing, to overseeing construction of a complete floor of
state-of-the-art laboratories in the Kellogg Eye Center. Congratulations
Deborah.
U-M
Postdoctoral Research Training Program
The Postdoctoral Research Training Program will be held this year
from July-September 2003. The program is designed to introduce
individuals with a strong interest in pursuing a career in academic
medicine to new and emerging concepts in cell and molecular biology.
The course is divided into two basic categories: 1) cell biology
and biochemistry and 2) molecular biology and genetics. The two
sections will be introduced by a core of 10 faculty members chosen
from the Departments of Biochemistry, Human Genetics, Physiology,
Pathology, Pharmacology, Biology, Internal Medicine, and HHMI.
The program is designed to introduce students to the methods of
scientific thought, inquiry and analysis via the presentation
of specific research topics. It does not emphasize techniques,
but rather problem solving exercises. To apply, send a CV and
a brief paragraph stating why you are interested in this Program
to your Division Chief or Chairperson. Direct questions to Stephen
J. Weiss, M.D., 5220 MSRB III/0640, 764-0030.
Internal Funding
Opportunities
Michigan
Diabetes Research and Training Center (MDRTC) Pilot/Feasibility
Study Grant Program
Deadline: June 23, 2003
The purpose of the MDRTC P/FS Grant Program is to enable investigators
to generate a sufficient body of preliminary information for a
successful application for major research funding from national
granting agencies in the areas of diabetes and related endocrine
and metabolic disorders. Funding is up to $50,000. P/FS Grant
proposals may be in areas of basic or clinical biomedical research,
behavioral or epidemiological research, or in areas of translational
research for the prevention and control of diabetes. For information
on how to apply, call 763-5730 or visit the MDRTC website.
External Funding
Opportunities
Elizabeth
Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation
Deadline: June 13, 2003 (Letter of intent)
The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation is interested in
funding basic medical research areas that have direct and immediate
relevance to pediatric HIV/AIDS. The foundation is currently accepting
letters of intent for the 2004 Elizabeth Glaser Scientist Award
program. The program that provides each investigator with $650,000
in direct costs for a period of five years. The five-year duration
of each award is designed to help build a network of scientists
who will continue to impact pediatric HIV/AIDS research long after
the individual grants have been utilized. Each applicant must
have a M.D., Ph.D., D.D.S., or D.V.M. degree and be at the assistant
professor level or above. See the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS
Foundation website for complete program guidelines.
The
Melanoma Research Foundation
Deadline: July 1, 2003
The Melanoma Research Foundation is a non-profit, volunteer-run
organization dedicated to bringing about more effective treatments
and a cure for melanoma, to help support melanoma patients and
their families, and to promote a greater public awareness of melanoma
and its prevention. Awards are up to $50,000 a year for two years.
Researchers must hold a Ph.D. or M.D., and be at the assistant
professor level, or have at least four years of postdoctoral experience.
See the Foundation website for complete details and the full application
package.
Blue
Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation Grants to Reduce
Disparities in Health Care
Deadline: July 15, 2003 (Letter of interest)
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation is seeking letters
of interest from academic institutions, community nonprofit and
health care organizations to develop and evaluate projects to
understand the causes of and to reduce healthcare disparities
driven by race and ethnicity. BCBSM is dedicating $500,000 to
this initiative over a two year period to fund several projects
which will cover salary support, supplies, office operation, limited
travel expenses and consultation fees. See the Foundation website
for complete details on the initiative.
The
NASA/ESA/CNES International Long-Term Bed Rest Study
Deadline: August 11, 2003
The NRA (NRA 03-OBPR-05) that solicits bed rest studies in cooperation
with European Space Agency (ESA) and Centre Nationale d’Etudes
Spatiales (CNES) is available. NASA is soliciting bed rest research
proposals that will utilize the facilities at the Institute for
Space Medicine and Physiology (MEDES) Space Clinic in Toulouse,
France. Participation in this Announcement is open to all categories
of organizations, including industry, educational institutions,
other nonprofit organizations, NASA laboratories, and other government
agencies. See the NASA website for complete information.
National
Cancer Institute Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program
Deadline: September 1, 2003
The Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program offers postdoctoral training
in the field of cancer prevention and control, including molecular
prevention, biomarkers and early detection, molecular epidemiology,
clinical trials and behavioral and nutritional interventions.
Applicants must have a M.D., D.D.S., D.O., D.V.M., J.D., Ph.D.,
or other doctoral degree in a related discipline (e.g., epidemiology,
biostatistics, ethics, philosophy, nutrition, public health, social
or behavioral sciences). Visit the Program’s website for
complete information and application procedures.
American Lung
Association
Deadline: September 9, 2003
The American Lung Association offers several research grants,
awards and fellowships in the pursuit of biomedical knowledge
and its impact on people’s lives. The American Lung Association’s
goal is for ‘a world free of lung disease". Awards
range from $21,000 to $50,000 per year for up to two or three
years. Visit the Association’s website for complete information
on the various funding opportunities.
The Gairdner Foundation International
Award
Deadline: October 1, 2003
The Gairdner Foundation is seeking nominations for its International
Award. The Foundation’s goal is to honor and reward outstanding
biomedical scientists who have made original contributions to
medicine through research. The Award is $30,000 payable in Canadian
funds and given to residents of any country without restriction.
In addition an award citation depicting the recipients work and
a sculpture, Le Coeur will be presented at an Awards Dinner in
2004. The Award is for the personal use of the recipient. All
necessary travel and accommodation expenses for winners and their
partners to accept Awards are paid by the Foundation. Visit the
Foundation’s website for complete details.
Osteogenesis
Imperfecta Foundation
Deadline: November 3, 2003
The Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation, Inc. (OI) is a national
health organization dedicated to helping people cope with the
problems associated with osteogenesis imperfecta, a genetic disorder
characterized by bones that break easily. Funding is available
for fellowships for young investigators working to develop expertise
in OI research or seed grants for either basic or clinical studies
with relevance to OI. Funding available:
