Announcements

Office of Research Announcements

• UW Today: Wi-Fi signals enable gesture recognition throughout entire home

  Jun 19, 2013 at 10:12am

  Forget to turn off the lights before leaving the apartment? No problem. Just raise your hand, finger-swipe the air, and your lights will power down. Want to change the song playing on your music system in the other room? Move your hand to the right and flip through the songs. Read the full article in UW Today.

• Engineered biomaterial could improve success of medical implants - Buddy Ratner Quoted

  Jun 5, 2013 at 6:45am

  UW Today story excerpt: The UW researchers created a synthetic substance that fully resists the body’s natural attack response to foreign objects. Medical devices such as artificial heart valves, prostheses and breast implants could be coated with this polymer to prevent the body from rejecting an implanted object. Currently working on mice, the researchers Ratner and Shaoyi Jiang plan to test on humans. Read the full story about this amazing research advancement in UW Today.

• KOMO News: UW engineers working on breakthrough in DNA research

  Jun 5, 2013 at 6:41am

  KOMO News writes: "SEATTLE -- University of Washington engineers have created a new DNA device that could give clues to cold cases or cancer research, and it's getting worldwide attention." Read the full article on KOMOnews.com about how this new instrument can analyze and send DNA information in a fraction of the time from the previous process.

• KGMI Reports on NSF Survey: UW among universities receiving most government money in 2012

  May 21, 2013 at 10:33am

  KGMI reports on an NSF survey shows the UW second in federal funding in 2012. The survey reports the UW received $949M in federal research and development grants. Johns Hopkins University was number one in funding.
  

  http://kgmi.com/UW-among-universities-receiving-most-government-mo/16218949 

  
  

  
  

   
  

• The Regional Cabled Observatory; Journey to the Bottom of the Sea: Geoff Cram (APL) and John Delaney (Oceanography) Quoted

  May 21, 2013 at 8:08am

  The goal of the Regional Cabled Observatory is, “…to better understand and monitor the depths of the Pacific Ocean – from volcanic eruptions to deep-sea earthquakes that could lead to tsunamis.” Geoff Cram, a Mechanical Engineering at the Applied Physics Lab (APL) is working on some of the complex technology (deployed in June) which includes a monitoring device called a medium powered junction box. These devices will be deployed in multiple locations in the depths of the Pacific off the coast of Oregon and Washington. Data will be sent via fiberoptic cable. Want to see a volcano erupt in real time? Video technology is also available. Delaney commented, “It’s going to be gee whiz, here’s what happens when an underwater volcano erupts and no one’s captured the full drama and potential science that goes with a very dynamic very transient event that’s hard to predict. We will be there.” Read the full article on KUOW.

• GeekWire Highlights BeatBio’s funding for Technology Developed at the UW to Stimulate Heart Activity

  May 21, 2013 at 7:41am

  Charles Murray and an Interdisciplinary Research Team Develop Technology for ‘super fuel’ that boosts the heart’s ability to pump during failure. Read the full article in GeekWire about this amazing research. 

   

• National Academy of Sciences selects Mary Lidstrom, David Kaplan

  May 2, 2013 at 6:53am

  The University of Washington’s Mary Lidstrom and David Kaplan are among the 84 new members and 21 foreign associates from 14 countries just announced by National Academy of Sciences. Members are named for their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research, according to the academy.

  Lidstrom is vice provost for research and a professor of chemical engineering and microbiology. Her research focuses on developing environmentally friendly and economically viable alternatives to chemical fuels. Lidstrom was elected to the Washington State Academy of Sciences in 2011. She also is a fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Lidstrom has been at the UW twice, from 1978 to 1985 and again since 1996. She received her bachelor’s in microbiology from Oregon State University and her master’s and doctorate in bacteriology from the University of Wisconsin.

  Kaplan is a professor of physics and the director of the UW’s Institute of Nuclear Theory. He did his undergraduate work at Stanford University and earned a doctorate in physics from Harvard University in 1985. He joined the UW faculty in 1994 and became director of the Institute for Nuclear Theory in 2006. Kaplan’s research focuses on the application of quantum field theory to the strong interaction, lattice field theory, cosmology and physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics. The Standard Model is the well-tested theory of the strong, weak and electromagnetic interactions that predicted the existence of the Higgs boson, which was discovered last year at the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland. (UW Today Article posted 5/1/13.)

   

• KOMO News: "University of Washington scientists developing Mars rocket"

  Apr 12, 2013 at 2:38pm

  The UW has developed a market capable of making it to mars! Read the full article on KOMO news.

• King 5 Hosts a Video of UW Inventions!

  Apr 12, 2013 at 1:53pm

  http://www.king5.com/on-tv/evening-magazine/Inventions-that-came-from-the-UW-201087971.html

   

• The New York Times article on Digital Green Quotes Professor Richard Anderson

  Apr 12, 2013 at 1:49pm

  UW in the News: he New York Times profiles the work of Digital Green, a non-governmental organization that teaches agricultural methods in India using locally-produced short videos. Richard Anderson, professor of computer science and engineering, is quoted.
  

• The paradox of reduce-reuse-recycle - Post by Daniel Schwartz

  Apr 4, 2013 at 11:18am

  Post in Foster Unplugged from Prof. Daniel Schwartz: When I think Cleantech, my mind goes straight to the triangular logo on my waste container at work: “reduce, reuse, recycle.”  These three words are central to most enduring cleantech innovations, though sometimes in paradoxical ways.  “Reduce” is the most prone to paradox, since reducing one thing generally happens by increasing another. Let’s explore this “reduce” paradox via two well-known examples in that space.

  In recent years, Washington has done a good job of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions. Today, the average American emits 41% more greenhouse gas than the average Washingtonian (2012 State Energy Strategy report). We reduced our emissions by increasing our reliance on hydropower. Here’s where the “reduce” paradox comes in. Increases in hydropower have led to fewer salmon in our waters. Thinking long term, if we want to grow our economy and further reduce our emissions while avoiding consequences like this, we’ll need major innovations in the cost and performance of solar energy and grid-scale batteries. And we’ll need to make sure those innovations don’t lead to a depleted Earth.  Read the full article in Foster Unplugged

• Gene therapy may aid failing hearts

  Apr 2, 2013 at 3:12pm

  The potential of gene therapy to boost heart muscle function was explored in a recent University of Washington animal study. The findings suggest that it might be possible to use this approach to treat patients whose hearts have been weakened by heart attacks and other heart conditions. Read the full article in UW Today.

• The Office of Research Campus Update is Available Online

  Apr 2, 2013 at 1:42pm

  The Office of Research Campus Update is now available online. Read about sequestration, an update on the Research Roadmap and a variety of topics of interest to the research community.

• Tenfold boost in ability to pinpoint proteins in cancer cells

  Mar 29, 2013 at 12:39pm

  Better diagnosis and treatment of cancer could hinge on the ability to better understand a single cell at its molecular level. New research offers a more comprehensive way of analyzing one cell’s unique behavior, using an array of colors to show patterns that could indicate why a cell will or won’t become cancerous.

  A University of Washington team has developed a new method for color-coding cells that allows them to illuminate 100 biomarkers, a ten-time increase from the current research standard, to help analyze individual cells from cultures or tissue biopsies. The work is published this week (March 19) in Nature Communications.

  Read the full article in UW Today.

• UW Bothell is the first University in Washington to create a School of STEM

  Mar 29, 2013 at 12:37pm

  UW Bothell is the first University in Washington to create a School of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math).

  Read the full article in GeekWire or Daily Journal of Commerce.

• UW students create, harvest fog in campus ‘hoop house’

  Mar 29, 2013 at 12:33pm

  In the fog chamber, a thick cool mist rolls from one end to the other blurring glasses, wetting caps and coats and sending water dripping down the latest test panel.

  University of Washington students have been testing low-cost materials capable of harvesting water from fog in a temporary “hoop house” next to the Botany Greenhouse. They create the fog with a specially adapted power washer and record how much water condenses and drips off various panels of low-cost materials, such as shade cloth.

  In tests on campus this month, faculty member Ben Spencer checks the water condensing and dripping down matting material used in landscapes to control soil erosion. The group is evaluating inexpensive, readily available materials for fog harvesting.

  They specifically want to find a way to help residents on the northern edge of Lima, Peru, where less than half an inch of rain falls, but heavy fogs occur consistently for six to nine months a year. The faculty and students are seeking a way to condense enough water to irrigate new plantings that would, in turn, harvest fog on their own, naturally bringing water into the landscape, said Susan Bolton, a professor of environmental and forest sciences and one of the group’s instructors. Read the full article in UW Today.

• UW Unveils The World's Most Comprehensive Analysis of Global Health

  Mar 6, 2013 at 12:19pm

  The Seattle Times Headline Reads: "Bill Gates is expected to announce today that his foundation will help fund more frequent updates to global health data, as UW researchers unveil the most comprehensive analysis ever undertaken of health measures around the world."  Read the story in The Seattle Times or The Daily.

• Kenneth Zeichner Selected to become a Fellow of the American Educational Research Association

  Mar 6, 2013 at 9:53am

  Dr. Kenneth Zeichner, Boeing Professor of Teacher Education and Director of
  Teacher Education, was selected to become a Fellow of the American
  Educational Research Association (AERA). This is one of the highest honors
  that an education researcher can attain. The AERA Fellows Program was
  established by the AERA Council to honor education researchers with
  substantial research accomplishments, to convey the Association's commitment
  to excellence in research, and to emphasize to new scholars the importance
  of sustained research of excellence in the field.
  
  He joins his colleagues Dr. Jim Banks, Dr. Bob Abbott, and Dr. John Bransford in this distinction.
  
  
  

• UW Today Article features "Five with UW links named to Forbes 30 under 30"

  Mar 4, 2013 at 1:43pm

  Forbes releasted it's 30 under 30 honor in December of 2012.  Five of those listed for this prestigious international honor had ties to the UW.

  The article in UW Today provided the list of spectacular young adults:

  Named were:

  Daniela Witten, 27, an assistant professor of biostatistics in the UW School of Public Health who joined the UW faculty at 26. She develops artificial intelligence programs to crunch genomic data to try to decipher how genes lead to diseases like cancer  (See her video: http://video.forbes.com/fvn/30-under-30/30-under-30-daniela-witten)
  

  Sarah Ng, 27, a UW graduate student training in genome sciences with Jay Shendure and other  renowned scientists at the UWs Northwest Genomic Sequencing Center and the new Mendelian Genomics Center.  She is using advanced sequencing methods to identify the genes that cause rare diseases.

  Jacob Applebaum, 28, is a staff research scientist in the UW Department of Computer Science and Engineering.  His work is on computer security and privacy, with an emphasis on anonymity, censorship resistance and network filtering. He is noted for uncovering security flaws in software.

  Sidhant Gupta, 27, is a graduate student in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering under the mentorship of Shwetak N. Patel. He is developing low-cost, easy-to-deploy sensors for conserving energy in the home.

  Jeffrey Kidd, 28, a recent UW genome sciences graduate student who trained with Evan Eichler and other notable UW researchers. Kidd is noted for using DNA sequencing to understand the forces that shape the evolution of primates, including apes and humans. He has now been appointed  assistant professor at the University of Michigan.

• Seattle Times Article on UW and PNNL's Northwest Institute for Advanced Computing

  Mar 1, 2013 at 4:58pm

  The University of Washington and the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory are forming a new enterprise, the Northwest Institute for Advanced Computing, to tackle a wide range of the world’s most vexing issues – from the causes of disease to how climate change will impact the planet.

  The institute is designed to find ways to mine the huge amounts of data generated every day by scientific instruments and household electronics, said Doug Ray, associate director of Richland-based PNNL, in a release. Read the full article in  Seattle Times online.

• Multiple sclerosis study reveals how killer T cells learn to recognize nerve fiber insulators

  Mar 1, 2013 at 4:41pm

  Misguided killer T cells may be the missing link in sustained tissue damage in the brains and spines of people with multiple sclerosis, findings from the University of Washington reveal.  Cytoxic T cells, also known as CD8+ T cells, are white blood cells that normally are in the body’s arsenal to fight disease. Rea the full article in UW Today.

• Mary Lidstrom Received ARPA-E Award of $4 million for “Biocatalyst for Small-Scale Conversion of Natural Gas into Diesel Fuel”

  Dec 6, 2012 at 3:25pm

  DOE’s ARPA-E awards have been announced, and one of the recipients is the University of Washington team led by Mary Lidstrom, Vice Provost for Research and Professor in Chemical Engineering and Microbiology. Sixty-six projects were awarded $130 million for projects that, “…seeks out transformational, breakthrough technologies that show fundamental technical promise but are too early for private-sector investment. These projects have the potential to produce game-changing breakthroughs in energy technology, form the foundation for entirely new industries, and have large commercial impacts.” The awards support Obama’s goals of, “…solving our nation’s most pressing energy challenges.” Lidstrom’s project description is below.

  Biocatalyst for Small-Scale Conversion of Natural Gas into Diesel Fuel

  The University of Washington will develop microbes that convert methane found in natural gas into liquid diesel fuel. These microbes enable small-scale gas-to-liquid conversion at lower cost than current methods, which require infrastructure that is too expensive to deploy at smaller scales. Small-scale conversion would leverage abundant, domestic natural gas resources and reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil.

• Three School of Public Health faculty members elected to Institute of Medicine

  Nov 7, 2012 at 9:14am

  Three School of Public Health faculty members have been elected to the Institute of Medicine. The new UW members have worked in many fields, including pharmaceutical outcomes research, cancer prevention, biostatstics, global health, and emergency preparedness. They are:

  • Chris Elias, a clinical professor of global health and president of global development for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
  •  Thomas Fleming, professor of Biostatistics and professor of Statistics
  • Andy Stergachis, professor of epidemiology and of global health, adjunct professor of health services, and adjunct professor of pharmacy.

  Read the full article in UW Today.

   

• UW|360 September 2012 - Solar Cell Engineering UWTV

  Oct 15, 2012 at 12:02pm

  Solar cells capture the sun's energy, even in the Northwest! Watch the full episode online at uwtv.org/uw360.

   

• Center for Chemical Innovation receives NSF reauthorization of $20 million

  Oct 10, 2012 at 11:15am

  The National Science Foundation has awarded a $20 million grant over five years in reauthorizing the Center for Enabling New Technologies Through Catalysis based at the University of Washington.

  Read the full article in UW Today.

• Faculty Orientation to Research - September 18

  Sep 13, 2012 at 3:11pm
  The Office of Research presents the 2012 UW Faculty Orientation to Research on Tuesday, September 18th from 8:30-10:30 am in the UW Tower Auditorium. Registration is encouraged, but not required. The program includes information to support the growth of your research program and provides an orientation to services and requirements at the University of Washington. Speakers include: Mary Lidstrom, Vice Provost for Research, Office of Research, and Professor, Chemical Engineering Carol Rhodes, Interim Director, Office of Sponsored Programs Tami Sadusky, Executive Director, Grant & Contract Accounting/Equipment Inventory Office Jim Kresl, Assistant Vice Provost, Office of Research Information Services, Office of Research Questions? Email osptrain@uw.edu.

• New Online Training for Process Improvement

  Jul 30, 2012 at 7:05am

  OEI has partnered with the Institute of Translational Health Sciences to develop online training for Organizational Effectiveness tools.   This modular training includes an overview of continuous improvement, and introductions to various tools on problem solving, decision making, visual management and more. To request an invitation to the training, please send OEI (oei@uw.edu) your full name and UW email address. You will receive an email with the invitation to join the course from Training Xchange. Please create an account to access the training. As a UW faculty, staff or student, you will have access to all the current modules free of charge.

  This project was supported by the National Center for Research Resources and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, through Grant 3UL1RR025014.

• Chemical makes blind mice see

  Jul 27, 2012 at 4:04pm

  A chemical that temporarily restores some vision to blind mice has been discovered.  Its discoverers are working on  an  improved compound that may someday allow people with degenerative blindness to see again.

  A team of UW Medicine researchers, in collaboration with scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Munich, conducted the study. Their findings appear in the July 26^th issue of the journal Neuron.

  Read the full article in UW Today.

  Read the full article in the jornal Neuron.

• UW designated an NIH Center of Excellence in Pain Education

  Jul 27, 2012 at 3:41pm

  The National Institutes of Health have selected 12 schools to develop pain curricula, and the UW has been named the lead site. The center will receive $300,000 to start, with the potential for further funding. The curricula will advance the assessment, diagnosis and safe treatment of a wide variety of pain conditions.

  Housed jointly in the schools of nursing and medicine, the UW Center of Excellence in Pain Education is co-led by  Ardith Doorenbos, associate professor of  nursing, and David Tauben, clinical associate professor of anesthesiology and pain medicine. More than 30 core faculty are involved in the center.  They represent all the UW health sciences schools:  nursing, pharmacy, medicine, social work, dentistry and public health.

  Read the full article in UW Today.

   

• UW Sponsors Export Compliance Workshop

  Jul 20, 2012 at 10:44am
  TITLE: Deemed Exports:  Compliance Implications for Universities and Independent Research Institutions DESCRIPTION: 

  • How are universities and research institutions incorporating the export control requirements in sponsored research programs?
  • What are the challenges faced in deemed exports compliance and understanding contract language?
  • Can I bring persons from overseas to work on federal government-sponsored programs?
  • How is fundamental research affected by export control policy?
  • Where does export control reform stand now and how will it relate to sponsored programs?

  These key concerns are part of the work of universities and research institutions involved in legal, sponsored programs, human resources, and academic departments. Please join us to explore these topics as well as related experiences and challenges within your research community in applying and managing deemed export regulations. Examples of best practices and how institutions are now incorporating export control compliance programs will be discussed. Representatives from the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) will be on hand to present information as well as listen to the key deemed export concerns facing institutions today. DETAILS: One Day Workshop sponsored by UW and hosted by Dorsey & Whitney LLP. August 2nd from 8am to 5pm Located at the offices of Dorsey & Whitney in downtown Seattle $25 registration includes light breakfast, lunch and refreshments MORE: For a list of speakers, the agenda and other details go here.

• NIH award advances Institute of Translational Health Sciences’ groundbreaking work

  Jul 16, 2012 at 11:38am

  The UW Institute of Translational Health Sciences has been awarded nearly $65 million over the next five years from the National Institutes of Health to continue its groundbreaking work.

  The ITHS helps scientists accelerate the translation of research discoveries into practical applications to improve the health of the public. Researchers from all disciplines rely on ITHS for education, resources and services.

  Read the full article in UW Today.

• Groundbreaking research paves way for HIV prevention drug approval

  Jul 16, 2012 at 11:31am

  For the first time, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is considering approving a drug that helps prevent someone from acquiring HIV. It’s called Truvada, and has been approved for use since 2004 to treat infected people.

  Now it has been shown to protect healthy people who are exposed to HIV. The UW's International Clinical Research Center, within the Department of Global Health, played a key role in examining the drug’s effectiveness for HIV prevention.

  Read the full article in UW Today.

• Discovery of a new particle - Higgs news draws giddy crowd to bar

  Jul 13, 2012 at 3:47pm

  You could call it a magnetic attraction that drew about 175 people to a midnight party thrown by the University of Washington’s Physics Department, Pacific Science Center and KCTS television to celebrate the discovery of a new particle.

  Read the full article in GeekWire.

• Computer-Designed Proteins Programmed to Disarm Variety of Flu Viruses; David Baker Featured

  Jun 8, 2012 at 2:34pm

  Computer-designed proteins are under construction to fight the flu. Researchers are demonstrating that proteins found in nature, but that do not normally bind the flu, can be engineered to act as broad-spectrum antiviral agents against a variety of flu virus strains, including H1N1 pandemic influenza.

  "One of these engineered proteins has a flu-fighting potency that rivals that of several human monoclonal antibodies," said Dr. David Baker, professor of biochemistry at the University of Washington.

  Read the full article in "The Cutting Edge."

   

• New FCOI training available

  Jun 7, 2012 at 10:38am

  The online Financial Conflicts of Interest (FCOI) training is now available at http://uw.edu/research/fcoi. Starting August 24th, 2012, Public Health Service (PHS)-funded investigators or investigators anticipating receiving PHS funds must complete the online FCOI training prior to the expenditure of funds on any new awards.

• Coming this Summer: New Financial Conflicts of Interest Regulations

  May 25, 2012 at 12:36pm

  The University of Washington’s policy on Financial Conflict of Interest (FCOI) will be revised to comply with the Public Health Service (PHS) FCOI regulations which go into effect on August 24, 2012. UW investigators must continue to follow the current UW’s SFI Disclosure Policy (GIM-10) until otherwise informed.

  The Office of Research is developing implementation processes and throughout the summer will post frequent updates on the new FCOI Web site

• Department of Energy Awards More Than $145 Million for Advanced Solar Technologies

  Sep 14, 2011 at 2:59pm

  Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced more than $145 million for projects to help shape the next generation of solar energy technologies and ensure that the United States remains a leader in this global market. Sixty-nine projects in 24 states will accelerate research and development to increase efficiency, lower costs, and advance cutting-edge technologies. Funded through DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, the projects will also improve materials, manufacturing processes, and supply chains for a wide range of photovoltaic (PV) solar cells and components of solar energy systems. Some of these investments also support efforts that will shorten the overall timeline from prototype to production and streamline building codes, zoning laws, permitting rules, and business processes for installing solar energy systems.
  
  Two faculty received awards:  Hugh Hillhouse got the only award that went to Washington State and Scott Dunham is funded via the award to Solar World (in Oregon).
  
  Read the full article at: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/news_detail.html?news_id=17701

• Taking meds before exposure cuts HIV risk for heterosexuals

  Aug 30, 2011 at 1:50pm

  Heterosexuals who are HIV negative can significantly reduce their risk of infection by taking a daily dose of an antiviral drug, according to a new study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

  The study, called TDF2, followed 1,200 uninfected heterosexual men and women between the ages of 18 and 39 years in Botswana, Africa. Read more at CNN: http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2011/07/13/taking-meds-before-exposure-cuts-hiv-risk-for-heterosexuals/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_gupta+%28Blog%3A+Paging+Dr.+Gupta%29.
  

• NSF Awards Grant to Establish Engineering Research Center for Sensorimotor Neural Engineering

  Aug 30, 2011 at 1:32pm

  An $18.5 million grant has been awarded by the National Science Foundation for establishment of a new Engineering Research Center for Sensorimotor Neural Engineering at the University of Washington (UW). Researchers at the centre will develop "neurobotics", which is development of robotic replacement limbs that can be controlled with the mind. Read more at: http://www.azorobotics.com/news.aspx?newsID=1797.
  

• UW ranked 16th in world in recent study

  Aug 26, 2011 at 1:55pm

  The University of Washington ranks 16th among universities around the world in a recent study by the Center for World-Class Universities of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Read the article at UW Today at: http://www.washington.edu/news/articles/uw-ranked-16th-in-world-in-recent-study-1

• Scholarships now available for Ethical Considerations in Research Collaborations conference

  Jul 13, 2011 at 10:52am

  Graduate student scholarships are now available for the Ethical Considerations in Research Collaborations conference at Meany Hall, University of Washington, September 22-23, 2011.
  
  The application page is here:

  http://courses.washington.edu/oriconf/registration/apply-for-student-scholarship/

  
  
  

  Deadline for submission: August 18, 2011 5 p.m. Pacific Standard Time

  A limited number of scholarships are available for graduate students who attend the conference. Preference will be given to graduate students who submit an original abstract that represents their field of scholarly work AND is judged to be relevant to the conference objectives. Please see the “How do I submit an Abstract” FAQ and Submit an Abstract page for more information.

  Scholarship applications will be accepted thru August 18th. Individuals awarded scholarships will be informed by September 1st. Applicants must complete the registration process in order to be considered for a scholarship.

  Awardees will be reimbursed for their on-line registration fee. Please see “How do I receive my scholarship?” FAQ for more information.

• Research Integrity Conference at the UW

  Jun 17, 2011 at 1:56am

  The University of Washington is hosting the next US Health and Human Services, Office of Research Integrity sponsored conference, Ethical Considerations in Research Collaborations:

  • Thursday September 22, 2011 and Friday September 23, 2011

  • Meany Hall, University of Washington

  Nationally recognized speakers from across the country will focus on ethical challenges in three areas of research collaborations:

  • University-Industry Collaboration

  • Researcher to researcher collaboration

  • Collaboration in the International Arena

  Read more and register for the conference here. Read the preliminary agenda here.

  

  

• Save the Date: Conference on Research Ethics 9/22-9/23/11

  Apr 8, 2011 at 7:16am

  September 22 & 23, 2011, Meany Hall
  
  The University of Washington and Region X of the Public Health Service have been funded by the Office of Research Integrity, and the US Department of Health and Human Services to host a conference on the responsible and ethical conduct of research. This conference is hosted in collaboration with co-sponsors Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and Seattle Children’s Hospital. The conference will be held on Sept. 22 and 23, 2011 in Meany Hall on the UW campus. The theme is “Ensuring an Ethical Foundation for Interdisciplinary Collaborations in Biomedical Research and the Provision of Public Health Services.”
  
  The conference will focus on ethical challenges in three areas of research collaborations:
  
      * University-Industry Collaboration: Building Translational Research Models
      * Researcher to Researcher Collaboration: Promoting Shared Standards and Resources
      * Collaboration in the International Arena: Challenges and Opportunities
  
  Who Should Attend? Physicians, researchers, compliance officials, educators, research administrators, attorneys and government employees. Graduate students and post-doctoral fellows are especially encouraged to attend!
  
  Keynote presentations will be held in the main auditorium of Meany Hall, with specific breakout sessions held nearby in Kane Hall. A link to the conference’s preliminary agenda and online registration information will be posted in April on the main web page for the Office of Research.
  
  Please stay tuned and place this exciting and timely conference onto your calendars!
  

• NSF Requirement for a Data Management Plan

  Jan 11, 2011 at 9:32am

  NSF has instituted a new requirement for data management and sharing of the products of research. All new proposals submitted or due on or after January 18, 2011 must include a supplementary document of no more than two pages labeled "Data Management Plan". Note that if a Data Management Plan would not be applicable to the proposed scope of work, a clear justification should be included. If it is applicable, the supplement should describe how the proposal will conform to NSF policy on the dissemination and sharing of research results (see AAG Chapter VI.D.4), and may include:

   

  1.  the types of data, samples, physical collections, software, curriculum materials, and other materials to be produced in the course of the project;

   

  2.  the standards to be used for data and metadata format and content (where existing standards are absent or deemed inadequate, this should be documented along with any proposed solutions or remedies);

   

  3.  policies for access and sharing including provisions for appropriate protection of privacy, confidentiality, security, intellectual property, or other rights or requirements;

   

  4.  policies and provisions for re-use, re-distribution, and the production of derivatives; and

   

  5.  plans for archiving data, samples, and other research products, and for preservation of access to them.

   

  Data management requirements and plans specific to the Directorate, Office, Division, Program, or other NSF unit, relevant to a proposal are available at: http://www.nsf.gov/bfa/dias/policy/dmp.jsp. If guidance specific to the program is not available, then the requirements established in this section apply.

   

  NOTE: The UW eScience Institute has provided some guidance on language for the Data Management Plan requirement that may apply. The guidance can be found at http://escience.washington.edu/blog/writing-nsf-data-management-plan

• UW Professor's Lifetime Efforts Receive International Recognition

  Nov 2, 2010 at 3:09pm

  A prize claimed by renowned conservationists such as David Attenborough and directors of some of the world's largest botanic gardens has been awarded to Estella Leopold, a University of Washington professor emeritus of biology, forest resources and quaternary research. Estella Leopold has dedicated herself to the preservation and stewardship of natural landscapes. Read more at: http://www.washington.edu/news/archive/59408

• Introducing Dave Eaton, Interim Vice Provost for Research

  Oct 11, 2010 at 7:48am
  

  I'm delighted but humbled, to step into the role of Interim Vice Provost for Research of this great University. In spite of the relatively recent turn down in the national and state economies, the research enterprise at the University of Washington remains as vibrant as ever. Leading this remarkable organization is truly an honor.

  Although there are many challenges we face, I am comforted by the fact that I will still be reporting to the same ‘bosses' I've had for the past five years in my role as Associate Vice Provost for Research. Interim Provost Mary Lidstrom, and Interim President Phyllis Wise have, and will continue to provide, steady leadership and vision for this University. Most importantly, I know that the dedicated staff in HSD, ORIS, OSP and OR-Central will continue their tireless efforts to provide outstanding service to our stakeholders, while at the same time ensuring full compliance with federal and state regulations.

  The research productivity of our faculty, staff, and students continues to be nothing short of amazing - this is the ‘bright light' in an otherwise dim economic climate. The UW recently exceeded $325 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA ‘Stimulus') funding from federal resources, placing us at or near the top of all research institutions nation-wide (see ARRA side bar). This is in addition to the over $1 billion in annual grants and contracts our faculty have received.

  The recent UW Economic Impact Report shows how important the UW research enterprise is to the State of Washington. For every dollar of state investment in the UW, we have returned over $22 to the state economy! Much of that impressive return on investment is the result of the $1.3 billion in research grants and contracts brought into the State, as well as the intellectual stimulus and well trained graduates that attract new businesses with high paying jobs.

  Finally, the research enterprise is an integral part of the education mission of the UW. I am committed to ensuring that the Office of Research does all that we can so that our students (undergraduate, graduate, and professional) have every opportunity to learn from, and contribute to "discovery," the hallmark of our research endeavor. True to our motto, "DISCOVERY is at the heart of the university."

• Office of Research Names Eaton Interim Vice Provost for Research

  Aug 5, 2010 at 8:19am
  

  Professor Dave Eaton has agreed to serve as Interim Vice Provost for Research as Mary Lidstrom moves into her new role as Interim Provost. Dave has served as an Associate Vice Provost for the Office of Research since 2005.

  Dr. Eaton received his Ph.D. in pharmacology from the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC) in 1978, and joined the University of Washington faculty in 1979.  He is currently Professor of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, and also holds adjunct appointments in Public Health Genetics and Medicinal Chemistry.  He served as Associate Dean for Research in the School of Public Health from 2000-2005.  In addition to his academic titles, he is founding Director of the NIH/NIEHS Core Center of Excellence, the Center for Ecogenetics and Environmental Health at the University of Washington.   He has published over 150 scientific articles and book chapters in the field of molecular toxicology and chemical carcinogenesis, and is author of several key textbook chapters on the principles of toxicology. Dr. Eaton is an Elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Academy of Toxicological Sciences, and is a Lifetime National Associate of the National Academies of Sciences.

   

• UW Board of Regents Names Provost Phyllis Wise as Interim President

  Jul 15, 2010 at 3:39pm
  The University of Washington Board of Regents at a special public meeting today voted to appoint Phyllis M. Wise, UW Provost and Executive Vice President, to serve as interim president of the University of Washington while the Regents conduct a search for a new president to replace Mark Emmert. Read the full article here.

• University of Washington Names Lidstrom Interim Provost

  Jul 14, 2010 at 6:41pm
  

  University of Washington Names Lidstrom Interim Provost

  Interim president-designate Phyllis Wise has named Mary Lidstrom, to be interim provost, filling the position Wise will leave when she becomes interim president in the fall. Lidstrom is Vice Provost for Research and a professor of microbiology and chemical engineering, where she holds the Frank Jungers Chair of Engineering. She has been the vice provost for research since 2005. The appointment was approved by the Board of Regents at its regular meeting today.

  "I am delighted Mary is willing to step into the provost's position," said Wise. "She has a great perspective on the major issues the University faces and understands deeply the importance of investing strategically to support excellence in discovery and learning. She's a highly respected academic and administrative leader, and I look forward to working with her in our new roles."

  Lidstrom has been at the UW twice, first from 1978-85 and again since 1996. She earned her B.S. in microbiology from Oregon State and her master's and Ph.D. in bacteriology from the University of Wisconsin. She was a Leverhulme postdoctoral fellow in microbiology at the University of Sheffield. She has also held academic appointments in the Center for Great Lakes Studies in Milwaukee and in environmental engineering science at the California Institute of Technology. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Microbiology and of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

  Lidstrom has directed or co-directed a number of interdisciplinary programs that couple biology and engineering. She also has implemented an educational initiative that encourages engineering students to pursue careers at the boundary between engineering and biology and oversees the NHGRI-funded Genomics Outreach to Minorities program at UW. In addition, she runs an active research program in applied microbiology.

  Lidstrom has a history of excellence in educational innovation. In 1993 she won the Caltech Associated Students Distinguished Teaching Award and in 2003, she received the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Professor Award for learning at the life sciences/engineering boundary. In 2006, she received the American Society for Microbiology Graduate Teaching Award for her long track record in mentoring graduate and postdoctoral students.

  As the University's chief academic and budgetary officer, the Provost provides leadership in educational and curriculum development, formulation and allocation of space, long-range strategic planning, and management of the University's research programs, and serves as deputy to the President and provides advice and assistance to her and to the deans and the faculty in these matters.

• Alfred Berg receives Curtis Hames Award for Research

  May 14, 2010 at 8:09am

  Alfred O. Berg, UW professor and immediate past chair of the Department of Family Medicine, received the Curtis Hames Award for Research at the recent meeting of the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine in Vancouver, B.C. This is the highest research recognition in family medicine, awarded jointly by the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the North American Primary Care Research Group. Read the full story here.

• Mary-Claire King awarded Dawson Prize in Genetics

  May 14, 2010 at 8:08am

  Mary-Claire King, the American Cancer Society Research Professor at the UW School of Medicine and renowned geneticist, has received the 2010 Trinity College Dublin Dawson Prize in Genetics. She was presented with the award by the college’s Smurfit Institute of Genetics after she gave a public lecture on Genetics and Breast Cancer: Progress in Personalised Medicine last month. Read the full story here.

• Launch of the Office of research iSTAR website!

  Apr 13, 2010 at 9:28am

  This site features our metrics dashboard, training and survey results, and progress/updates to OR’s strategic goals through process improvement initiatives.  The dashboard measures organization success in the following areas:

   

  ·        Customer Service

  ·        Systems Support

  ·        Operational Excellence

  ·        Training

   

  Please visit our site at:  http://www.washington.edu/research/main.php?page=istar

   

   

   

• WA State Life Sciences Discovery Fund awards health research program grants

  Apr 9, 2010 at 7:36am

  For Immediate Release

  Media contact: Alden Jones

  Tel: 206-732-6770

  alden@lsdfa.org

  WASHINGTON STATE LIFE SCIENCES DISCOVERY FUND AWARDS

  HEALTH RESEARCH PROGRAM GRANTS

  SEATTLE, Washington, April 6, 2010 - The Life Sciences Discovery Fund (LSDF) today announced nearly $15 million in program grant awards to support collaborative research initiatives spearheaded by three Washington state life sciences organizations.

  The programs will utilize diverse approaches to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and other major diseases.

  One program, led by Stephen Friend of Sage Bionetworks, will use powerful computational tools to create better models of complex biological systems and identify molecular pathways that can be targeted to develop safer and more effective drugs and diagnostic tests.

  A second program, headed by Thomas Matula at the University of Washington, will combine ultrasound technologies with cutting-edge molecular medicine approaches to more accurately image tumors and enhance drug delivery to diseased tissues.

  The third program, directed by Peggy Porter of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, will establish a multi-institutional system for collecting and distributing the biological specimens required to advance cancer research, diagnosis, and therapy.

  According to LSDF executive director Lee Huntsman, each award is anticipated to yield great returns on LSDF’s investment. “These world-class teams will create critical information, material, and technological resources that are expected to provide competitive advantages to Washington’s researchers and companies and, ultimately, accelerate the development of new diagnostics and therapeutics for serious health conditions.” Huntsman also noted that LSDF support will further advance Washington’s leadership positions in computational research, systems biology, and ultrasound.

  The LSDF board of trustees selected the awardees from among 19 proposals that were evaluated by national experts convened by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. In a highly competitive two-phase process, proposals were rated on scientific merit and the potential to improve health and health care in Washington and provide statewide economic benefit.

  Funding for these awards comes from Washington’s allocation of bonus payments under the Master Tobacco Settlement. The awards are subject to finalization of LSDF’s budget for 2010 and the terms and conditions of a grant agreement negotiated between the recipient institutions and LSDF.

  The Life Sciences Discovery Fund, a Washington state agency established in May 2005, makes grant investments in innovative life sciences research to benefit Washington and its citizens.

  
  

  BACKGROUNDER INFORMATION

  Life Sciences Discovery Fund 2009 Health Research Program Grants

  Stephen Friend, Sage Bionetworks - $4,999,996

  Program Title: Sage Integrative Bionetwork Community: Scalable Resource for the State of Washington

  Program Focus: To more accurately and comprehensively model biological systems through their network of interactions to develop safer and more effective drugs and diagnostic tests.

  Human disease frequently causes complex changes in biological systems and molecular pathways, and, consequently, is often not treatable with individual drugs that target a single step in a pathway. Sage Bionetworks is a new nonprofit medical research organization that is developing a novel approach to biological and drug development research. Sage’s approach uses powerful computational tools to create holistic models of biological systems that map interactions among the multiple pathways that can influence disease severity, drug efficacy, and drug safety. Sage will create the “Sage Commons” for open-access research on systems biology and network models and for the application of this research to biological problems and human disease. LSDF will fund two facets of the Commons: 1) the development and implementation of a computing infrastructure that will enable scalable delivery of network data models and analyses to collaborators, and 2) the creation of the Washington Partners Program, which will actively engage Washington’s academic and biotechnology communities in next-generation systems biology research. By accelerating the identification of pathways that can be targeted to develop better drugs or diagnostic tests, the Sage Commons will provide Washington biotechnology companies with competitive advantages in drug and diagnostic development, help launch new companies and create jobs, and retain some of the world's best computational biologists in Washington.

  Thomas Matula, University of Washington - $4,999,999

  Program Title: Molecular Imaging and Therapy Using Ultrasound

  Program Focus: To develop, translate, and commercialize new ultrasound techniques for molecular imaging and therapy.

  Ultrasound is one of the leading medical diagnostic tools in the world due to its high portability and low cost. More ultrasound procedures are performed than any other type of imaging, including X-rays, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The University of Washington (UW) and Washington companies are established leaders in biomedical ultrasound research, development, and commercialization. Ultrasound has traditionally been used for visualizing anatomical structures. However, combining ultrasound technologies with advanced molecular approaches could potentially revolutionize disease diagnosis and treatment by allowing clinicians to target specific molecules in tissues for more precise imaging as well as for delivery of drugs. The program team will create a center focused on researching, translating, and commercializing new ultrasound techniques for molecular imaging and therapy. The ultrasound-based Washington Molecular Imaging and Therapy Center will capitalize on the UW’s existing expertise and initiatives as well as recruit new faculty and support novel research projects. Partnerships with clinicians, industry, and venture capitalists are anticipated to accelerate clinical translation and commercialization.

  Peggy Porter, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center - $4,995,711

  Program Title: Consortium Biospecimen Program (CBP)

  Program Focus: To facilitate cancer treatment through comprehensive biological specimen collection and distribution.

  Development of molecular tests for early diagnosis of cancer and other diseases, as well as tests that enable treatments to be tailored to a patient's condition and new therapeutic technologies, are critically dependent on blood and tissue samples collected from patients and healthy individuals with their consent. To catalyze the development of new diagnostic tests and drugs, the investigators will develop an information-rich biospecimen collection and distribution system that links regional biomedical investigators with biological specimens. A cross-institution informatics platform will be developed, as well as standardized practices for materials transfer and intellectual property management. This new program will capitalize on the resources and expertise of two programs previously funded by LSDF, the Phase 1 Clinical Trials Program and the Northwest Institute of Genetic Medicine. The CBP represents a collaboration between patients and researchers that provides an opportunity for cancer patients, their families, and friends to contribute to basic science and exciting discoveries that may one day lead to cures. The Consortium includes Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, the University of Washington, and Seattle Children's Hospital and Research Institute.

  www.lsdfa.org / info@lsdfa.org / 206.732.6777

• UW Center for Systems and Translational Infectious Disease Research established

  Mar 30, 2010 at 2:07pm

  The University of Washington has launched its newest biomedical research enterprise, the center for Systems and Translational Research on Infectious Disease. Read the full article here.

• Energy website article in Uweek

  Feb 26, 2010 at 3:09pm

  Uweek has a fascinating article on our energy website.  See the Uweek article at: http://www.washington.edu/news/archive/55788

• New Energy Website Launched!

  Jan 29, 2010 at 11:07am

  Energy researchers at the University of Washington are involved in scientific discovery, technology innovation, and society impacts research, and are involved in a broad range of energy projects that are making a difference and changing lives. The new website is designed to build the reputation of the UW in energy research, to increase our visibility, and to serve as a resource to find expertise in a given research area.  Visit Energy Research at the UW.

• Recipient of stimulus funding aims to increase Native American enrollment in higher education

  Jan 7, 2010 at 10:53am

  The number of economic stimulus awards at the UW continues to rise. Read the full article here.
  

• Six UW researchers named Fellows of AAAS

  Jan 7, 2010 at 9:49am

  Six UW researchers named Fellows of AAAS. Read the article here.

• Are You Ready for the Restructured Grants.gov/NIH Forms? Grant Runner Is!

  Dec 3, 2009 at 8:05am
  Next week, NIH plans to release a new version of the SF424 and PHS398 forms. Grant Runner has already been enhanced to handle these changes. Read more about the change [...] NIH has mandated that all applications with due dates on or after January 25, 2010 must use the restructured forms. For further information, visit http://enhancing-peer-review.nih.gov/restructured_applications.html.

• Research Collaborations with the University of Queensland, Australia: 2010 Trans-Pacific Fellowships Available

  Nov 24, 2009 at 3:56pm

  Trans-Pacific Fellowship Program with the University of Queensland, Australia

   

  Attached please find a new program, called the 'Trans-Pacific Fellowship Proram', that funds Graduate Student, Post-Doctoral Fellow and Faculty exchanges with the University of Queensland, Australia.  This is part of a larger Memorandum of Understanding between the State of Washington and the State of Queensland that was initiated several years ago by Governor Gregoire, with a specific UW-UQ Memorandum of Understanding signed by Provost Wise.   We are seeking applications from UW scientists interested in developing and/or fostering collaborations with UQ colleagues on research related to one or more of the following areas:
  
   a. Bio/nanotechnology
   b. Science education
   c. Imaging
   d. Population health
   e. Bioengineering

  
  

  Download the form here.

  Please distribute this announcement and the attached application packet to potentially interested faculty.  Applications are due in the Office of Research on February 1, 2010, for travel to Australia that begins between April 1 and December 1, 2010.
  
  Send applications to Peggy Fanning, Office of Research, Box 351202 by February 1, 2010.  If you have any questions, please call Peggy Fanning at (206)543-7502, or contact David Eaton (206) 685-3785.

• Stimulus money funds studies of ocean surface waves, fire prevention and more

  Oct 9, 2009 at 3:06pm

  The last full week of September brought the UW the largest number of economic stimulus awards in a single week: 40 of them, adding up to almost $14 million. Read the full article at University Week here.
  

• Obama announces $5 billion in research grants (9/30/09)

  Oct 6, 2009 at 11:22am

  President Obama, in an effort to stimulate the economy and support critical research, announced $5 billion in grants during a visit to the National Institutes of Health on Wednesday.  See more at CNNPolitics.com: http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/09/30/obama.health.grants/index.html

• UW receives largest-ever federal award to construct ocean observatory off the Pacific Northwest

  Oct 6, 2009 at 11:19am

  Today's announcement of approximately $385 million over 5½ years in funding for the National Science Foundation's Ocean Observatories Initiative is the culmination of a two-decade quest to transform the manner in which science in ocean basins can be conducted. See the fact sheet at uwnews:  http://www.washington.edu/news/archive/51819

• Washington forests may be solution to state's green-energy quest

  Oct 6, 2009 at 11:16am

  Wood is a popular fuel for heating homes in the Northwest but few people might see it as an important source of liquid fuels for motor vehicles. However, a new UW report commissioned by the Washington Legislature suggests that woody biomass could represent the state's greatest opportunity to develop biofuels and reduce both green house gas emissions and dependency upon imported oil. Read more at the Uweek article of 8/20/09: http://www.washington.edu/news/archive/uweek/51624

• UW wins new honors for sustainability efforts

  Oct 6, 2009 at 11:04am

  The UW was ranked second in the country by Sierra Magazine for the University's sustainability efforts, and it was also named to the 2010 Green Rating Honor Roll by the Princeton Review.  See more at the uweek article of 8/20/09: http://www.washington.edu/news/archive/uweek/51590

   

• Plastics that convert light to electricity could have a big impact

  Oct 6, 2009 at 10:59am

  A research team headed by David Ginger, a University of Washington associate professor of chemistry, has found a way to make images of tiny bubbles and channels, roughly 10,000 times smaller than a human hair, inside plastic solar cells. These bubbles and channels form within the polymers as they are being created in a baking process, called annealing, that is used to improve the materials' performance.  Find out more from the uweek article of 8/4/09: http://www.washington.edu/news/archive/51232

• New UW Medicine Policy Requiring Research Information in Subjects' Medical Records

  May 7, 2008 at 1:15pm
  Studies that use UW Medicine clinical facilities (including Harborview & SCCA) will soon be required to add a Research Care Plan to subjects' medical records, using a predefined template. The purpose is to improve patient safety and to help researchers fulfill Medicare requirements for documenting and billing for services related to research. The Research Care Plan lists appropriate contact information for the study. In addition, it will include the study name (in an abbreviated manner), the sponsor name, and the protocol number - as this is information required by Medicare. Most ongoing studies covered by this policy will need to revise their consent forms, and some may also need to re-consent subjects. A special page has been established with more details, forms, and instructions.