For more information contact: Boonshoft School of Medicine, Judi Engle, Office of Public Relations, (937) 775-2951

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 12, 2007

Neuroscience Research Advances at Wright State

DAYTON, OHIO—Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine will significantly expand the scope and mission of its Center for Brain research by establishing a Comprehensive Neuroscience Center for improving research of neurological, developmental, cognitive, psychiatric, and trauma-induced nervous system disorders.

The newly established center will integrate teams of scientists and clinicians across numerous disciplines to collaboratively address fundamental issues in both basic science and clinical neuroscience research.

“The formation of this new center will substantially accelerate our progress in establishing Wright State University as a leader in neuroscience. The center will organize and support our neuroscientists and technical resources in ways that will advance our research of the nervous system at levels ranging from cellular and molecular mechanisms to behavior,” says Timothy C. Cope, Ph.D., chair and professor of the Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology and Physiology, who will also serve as the center’s director.

The center is made possible through a grant from the Boonshoft Innovation Fund, established when Oscar Boonshoft, a local philanthropist and long-time supporter, gave Wright State University School of Medicine a gift of $28.5 million dollars in 2005. His goal was to provide new resources to spur innovative ideas and programs that would propel the school to national leadership in medical education, patient care and research.

This initiative builds upon the success of the Center for Brain Research. According to Robert E. W. Fyffe, Ph.D., associate dean for research affairs for the medical school, the critical infrastructure for this area of research was established with assistance from the National Institutes of Health and, locally, by The Kettering Fund.  Grants received from these sources helped coordinate neuroscience research and recruit additional outstanding research faculty to Wright State.  The Kettering Fund has supported biomedical research at the Boonshoft School of Medicine since 1998 and was instrumental in advancing several key research areas at the medical school.

“The vision for this collaborative center is to continue to build upon our core strengths and infrastructure as well as leverage strategic resources,” explains Howard M. Part, M.D., dean for the Boonshoft School of Medicine.  “We see neuroscience research as a significant growth area and an important component in educating our students and advancing patient care.”

The Comprehensive Neuroscience Center opens with an inaugural program, poster session, and reception, Friday, February 16, at 4:30 p.m. in the Ramesh K. and Saroj Gandhi Auditorium, 101 White Hall on the campus of Wright State University, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy., Dayton.

For more information contact, Judi Engle, director for Strategic Communications and Public Relations, Wright State University Boonshoft School of Medicine, (937) 775-2951.

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