David Edwards and William Farquhar (center) received the INBRE Research Summit Award. They are shown here with Delaware INBRE principal investigator Karl Steiner (far left) and program coordinator Steven Stanhope (far right).

INBRE researchers share findings

Annual research symposium showcases biomedical research

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11:03 a.m., May 5, 2011--Biomedical researchers from across the state of Delaware gathered in Dover on April 28-29 for the annual Delaware INBRE research symposium and board meeting. Hosted at Delaware State University, the event included a keynote address by an official of the National Institutes of Health (NIH); presentations on cancer, cardiovascular, and neuroscience research; and a poster session.

Keynote speaker Michael Weinrich, director of the National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research, offered new investigators in the audience some practical suggestions for writing successful research proposals.

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“The two most important things you can do to develop a competitive proposal are to ask a good question and to get help from colleagues,” Weinrich said. He also advised early-career investigators to select the right NIH grant mechanism for a project and to communicate with program officers well before submitting a proposal.

Cancer researcher Mary Ann McLane from UD’s Department of Medical Technology presented her work on the interaction of eristostatin with human melanoma cells. Sunil Agrawal, Department of Mechanical Engineering, discussed his development of a wearable “exoskeleton” for use in post-stroke physical rehabilitation. William Farquhar, Department of Kinesiology and Applied Physiology, shared his findings on the physiological effects of dietary sodium in “salt-resistant” humans.

Two researchers received special recognition at the symposium. Farquhar and David Edwards, both of UD’s Department of Kinesiology and Applied Physiology, received the INBRE Research Summit Award, reserved for those investigators who fulfill the Delaware INBRE mission by achieving independence as scientists conducting biomedical research.

On May 3, the INBRE Leadership Award was presented to Dr. Brian Little, chief academic officer at Christiana Care Health System, for a decade of personal dedication and outstanding leadership in support of the Delaware INBRE Program. Little is retiring after a distinguished career in research, education, and clinical practice.

About Delaware INBRE

Delaware INBRE (IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence) is a partnership among six institutions, including four academic partners—the University of Delaware, Delaware State University, Delaware Technical & Community College and Wesley College—and two clinical partners—Christiana Care Health System and Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children

The program supports promising biomedical research by investigators throughout this statewide network. 

Over the past ten years, Delaware INBRE has secured $45M from NIH to build research infrastructure including laboratory renovations and core instrumentation centers, supported over 50 biomedical pilot research projects, and trained nearly 800 students from its partner institutions.

Article by Diane Kukich

Photos by Mike Baker

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