OCAST board approves 30 health research projects for nearly $4.2 million

June 24, 2008

Thirty Oklahoma health research projects were chosen by a peer review team from a total of 135 applicants and have been approved for funding by the OCAST governing board. The top-ranked research applications represent a one year investment by OCAST in excess of $1.4 million with a three year total of more than $4.2 million. OCAST, the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology, is Oklahoma’s technology-based economic development agency.

One New Scientist Award that will provide up to $100,000 per year for each of three years went to Antonius Oomens of Oklahoma State University. He will investigate human respiratory syncytial virus and research and focus on developing a vaccine.

The purpose of the health research program is to: (1) strengthen the competitiveness of Oklahoma health researchers for national research funds, (2) recruit and retain outstanding health research scientists for the state, (3) improve health care for Oklahomans and (4) strengthen the state’s health care industry. Research funded under the program investigates the causes, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of human diseases and disabilities and facilitates the development of innovative health care products and services.

Under OCAST’s New Scientist program, researchers who are new to their institution can compete for special funding that recognizes their willingness to develop research projects in Oklahoma.

The following represent the award winning research projects.

• Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation

Jose Alberola-lla
Joel Guthridge
Kenneth Hensley
William Rodgers

• Oklahoma State University

Junpeng Deng
Amanda Harrist
Lin Liu
Antonius Oomens
Joshua Ramsey
Barbara Stoecker

• University of Oklahoma

Michael Ashby
David Durica
Shaorong Liu
Valentin Rybenkov
Alberto Striolo

• University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

Brian Ceresa
Paul DeAngelis
Eric Howard
Guangpu Li
Timothy Lyons
Scott Plafker
Calin Prodan
Maria de Lurdes V.F. Queimado
Karla Rodgers
Goverdhan Sachdev
David Sherry
Kelly Standifer
Zhonglin Xie

• University of Tulsa

Joanne Davis

• Veterans Research and Education Foundation

Yong Lei