June 05, 2014

Manchin, Rockefeller, Rahall Announce Funding for Marshall University Academic Research Program

BECKLEY, W.Va. – U.S., Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller along with Rep. Nick Rahall (all D-W.Va.), Thursday announced Federal funding has been awarded by the National Cancer Institute to Marshall University to research a cutting edge concept to fight cancer.

“In order to grow our economy, create jobs for the future and attract the best and brightest students to West Virginia, it is critical that we invest in academic research at our colleges and universities,” Manchin said. “This grant will help provide Marshall University with the resources necessary to carry out advanced research projects and allow our students to compete with other institutions around the country.  This is wonderful news for Marshall, and I applaud their leadership and their continuing efforts to excel.” 

"Southern West Virginia can be proud of the world-class research programs, such as this one at Marshall, striving to identify promising treatments of life-threatening diseases," said Rahall. "Federal investments in academic research at centers of higher learning are leading the way to better understanding diseases and developing breakthrough technologies to improve the health and quality of life of our citizens."

“Robust research funding for our state’s universities gives rise to innovation, and creates learning and growth opportunities for West Virginia’s students," said Rockefeller. “This award will help build on the cutting-edge research already being conducted at Marshall University, and further invest in the work of students and researchers in Huntington who are working to make a difference in the fight against cancer.”

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) National Cancer Institute awarded a $432,369 three-year Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) to Marshall University to launch a cancer biology research project in “epigenetics,” a relatively new concept in cancer therapies that has shown great promise.

AREA awards are specifically designed to give students practical opportunities to participate in cutting edge academic research.  Over the course of the three-year project, Marshall University anticipates involving eight students from undergraduate, Master’s and Ph.D. academic programs, as well as students enrolled in the Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine at the university.

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