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BRC News

November 9,2009 

Four BRC researchers receive AREA grants to support undergraduate research

Four Boise State professors have been awarded research grants which totaled more than $840,000. Doctors Cheryl Jorcyk, Julia Oxford, Jennifer Smith, and Don Warner were selected as recipients for the Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) after submitting their protocols in the last year.  
The AREA, also known as the R15 award, helps support faculty and students with research projects in the biomedical and behavioral sciences. It gives undergraduate students in particular the opportunity to conduct hands-on research traditionally reserved to graduate students. “Creating great undergraduate research experiences is one way Boise State offers students a window into the larger world of academic and career opportunities. The NIH AREA Program’s emphasis on undergraduate research is in strategic alignment with our core mission of teaching, research and service,” states Provost Sona Andrews. Dr. Julia Oxford, Director of Boise State’s Biomolecular Research Center says, “AREA grants fund biomedical research that addresses national health needs while also creating and enhancing research. The R15 program directly supports Boise State’s goal to integrate research and teaching which enriches undergraduate education.” 
Dr. Jorcyk and Dr. Oxford, both of the Department of Biological Sciences, were each awarded $211,500. The National Cancer Institute awarded Dr. Jorcyk funding to determine the mechanisms by which the cytokine, Oncostatin M, promotes vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in breast cancer. This is Jorcyk’s second R15 award. Oxford’s award was from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Her research will include investigating the role of Collagen Type XI in skeletal development using zebrafish as a model for vertebrae development.
The National Institute of General Medical Sciences granted Dr. Smith, of the University’s College of Engineering, $211,500. Smith’s research looks to improve the effectiveness of computer programs used for bioinformatics which search genomic databases for genes that specify RNA molecules which have biological function without conversion into protein. Dr. Warner, of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, received $218,815 by the National Cancer Institute. Warner will determine the therapeutic potential of novel DNA-modifying agents, aziridinomitosenes, which can be used in potential chemotherapy treatments. Warner also received an R15 award in 2005. Since 2001, Boise State University has received more than $1.9 million in R15 funding from NIH. Other faculty at Boise State University that are previous awardees of the R15 include: Doctors Henry Charlier and Susan Shadle, Department of Chemistry; Troy Rohn and Denise Wingett, Department of Biology and Michelle Sabick of Mechanical and Biomechanical Engineering.  
The NIH is the Nation’s leading medical research agency. There are 27 Institutes and Centers within the National Institutes of Health.  The goals of the NIH’s AREA program include supporting meritorious research, strengthening the research environment and exposing students to research. 
Each of the Institutes and Centers has its own focus of research in the biomedical and behavioral areas. All faculty are encouraged to look over the emphasis areas of research and funding opportunities available to support their ongoing research. The AREA application system is an accessible and achievable funding opportunity for researchers at Boise State.   
The Biomolecular Research Center has resources available for preliminary proposal review and enhancement as well as mentored and peer writing groups. Request for support as you prepare your grant should be submitted no less than one month before the application deadline to joxford@boisestate.edu. The next deadline to apply for AREA grants is Jan. 7, 2010. Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the funding limit for the AREA has been increased from $150,000 to $300,000 of direct funding.