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Submitted/Kevin Boatright

Barbara Alving, director of the National Center for Research Resources at the National Institute of Health, listens to a presentation with George Wilson, associate vice provost for Research and Graduate Studies. Alving visited the Lawrence and KU Medical Center campuses last month.

NIH official explores KU research

Since 2000, the National Center for Research Resources at the National Institutes of Health has awarded more than $122 million to principal investigators throughout Kansas. NCRR Director Barbara Alving paid a visit to Kansas Jan. 18 and 19, spending time on both the Lawrence and KU Medical Center campuses.

"I learned about terrific programs at Kansas and would like to showcase that with other IDeA programs and NIH officials as part of our effort to share best practices throughout the country," Alving said.

Alving visited with investigators from several Kansas campuses and was the keynote speaker for the 6th annual K-INBRE Symposium at the InterContinental Hotel in Kansas City, Mo. Addressing more than 250 participants at the symposium, Alving focused on the importance of mentoring the next generation of scientists and of enhancing multidisciplinary collaborations dedicated to improving patient care.

The NCRR has invested in Kansas through the Institutional Development Award program, an NIH effort to boost biomedical research.

Within the Kansas IDeA program, 10 campuses are linked through a biomedical research network. Funds from the program currently support several multidisciplinary projects ranging from preventing AIDS with a DNA vaccine to fighting cancer through the discovery of potential drug therapies.

"We are fortunate to have so many talented investigators working on the cures for tomorrow," said Joan S. Hunt, University Distinguished Professor at KU Medical Center and vice chancellor for biomedical research infrastructure.

Hunt is the principal investigator of the Kansas IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence, K-INBRE, an initiative supported by the IDeA program. Headquartered at KU Medical Center, the K-INBRE goals are to inspire outstanding undergraduates to pursue careers in biomedical research in Kansas, enhance research capacity through faculty development and retention and expand the biomedical research infrastructure among participating universities.

For more information about Kansas IDeA program and K-INBRE, visit Kansas IDeA.

RESEARCH MATTERS

KU architects and their students are designing relief for New Orleans neighborhoodrravaged by Hurricane. Nils Gore, associate professor, and Rob Corser, assistant professor of architecture and urban planning, are working with students to design structures for the city's Ninth Ward, one of the hardest hit areas. Structures have included a tool shed, a shade pavilion, a mobile stage and an outdoor classroom. For more, or to listen to the original broadcast, visit www.researchmatters.ku.edu.