AUGUST 16, 2010

IN THIS ISSUE

1. Marquette, pharmaceutical firm AviMed sign licensing agreement

Marquette has completed a licensing agreement with AviMed Pharmaceuticals, LLC, a Milwaukee-based company. Based on 10 years of research into a novel brain mechanism involved in schizophrenia, AviMed is using proprietary technologies to develop pharmaceutical therapies to treat the psychiatric disease.

AviMed was founded by Dr. Behnam Ghasemzadeh, associate professor of biomedical sciences and the company’s president and chief scientific officer, and Dr. Daniel Sem, associate professor of chemistry, who serves as AviMed’s CEO.

Ghasemzadeh studied the novel brain mechanism early in his research career and recognized its involvement in the behaviors of schizophrenia. Targeting the brain mechanism, Ghasemzadeh and Sem are now re-engineering existing pharmaceutical compounds that will ultimately counteract the symptoms of this debilitating psychiatric disease that affects more than 2.4 million people in the U.S.

In June 2009, the venture was awarded second place in the life sciences category of the Wisconsin Governor’s Business Plan Contest. Earlier that year, AviMed was also the “Best Overall Plan Runner-Up” in Marquette’s business plan competition, sponsored by the Kohler Center for Entrepreneurship in the College of Business Administration.

The licensing agreement with AviMed further bolsters Marquette’s research commercialization efforts, said Keith Osterhage, executive director of Marquette’s Office of Research and Sponsored Programs. According to Osterhage, the university’s licensing revenue has grown steadily over the past five years, including a 43.7-percent increase from $451,180 in FY09 to $648,267 in FY10.

Back to Top

2. Paper bills for students discontinued

Students are no longer receiving printed, paper bills through the postal service; bills are available electronically through CheckMarq. Students receive notice of e-bill availability via their eMarq e-mail account. The e-mail links to CheckMarq, where students can view their billing statement online at any time. Students still have the option of paying their bill online, in person at Marquette Central or through the postal service. Students and parents who call Marquette Central with questions must provide the student’s Marquette Central Access Number and MUID numbers to verify their right to access the student’s information.

Students can also create guest accounts on CheckMarq to provide access for parents, guardians and others to view their grades, bursar account and financial aid information. Students may share the login information for their guest account with anyone they choose. Students control the access and the password and can change them at any time. Log in to CheckMarq to set up guest access.

Only students with an outstanding balance receive an e-mail bill notice.

Back to Top

3. Help welcome new students on Arrival Day

The Office of Residence Life is looking for volunteers to help welcome new students to campus on Arrival Day, Wednesday, Aug. 25. Volunteers can serve as greeters, assist with administrative tasks or help students move into their rooms. Volunteers are welcome to help for an hour, several hours or all day. Contact Rick Arcuri, associate dean for administration, at 8-7208 by Wednesday, Aug. 18, to volunteer or for more information.

Back to Top

4. Fall 2010 classroom assignments posted in CheckMarq

Access CheckMarq to find the most up-to-date fall 2010 course classroom assignments. Contact the department offering the course if you are unable to locate where the course is meeting.

Back to Top

5. Rec Center closed until Aug. 23

The Helfaer Rec Center will be closed for maintenance through Sunday, Aug. 22. The cardio courts, tennis courts, racquetball court and basketball courts will reopen Monday, Aug. 23. The weight room will reopen Friday, Aug. 27.

Back to Top

6. Al’s Run team registration deadline is Sept. 17

Briggs & Al's Run & Walk for Children's Hospital will take place Saturday, Oct. 9, beginning on the Marquette campus. The registration deadline to join a Marquette team is noon Friday, Sept. 17. To join the general Marquette team or any other Marquette team for the three- or five-mile run/walk, go online. Search “Marquette” and use the password “Marquette.” For more information call 8-3128.

Volunteer opportunities are also available before, during and after the run/walk. Contact Ali Myszewski, assistant director of AMU, at 8-3129 for more information.

Back to Top