Research Growing at Marquette Total awards increased 12% in the last year Released: Dec. 8, 2005 MILWAUKEE –  A total of 123 Marquette University faculty and staff were awarded $20.8 million in grants for research, instruction, equipment acquisition and other projects during fiscal year 2005 (July 1, 2004 through June 30, 2005), representing a $2.5 million increase over 2004, according to a recent report from the Marquette Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.  Overall, the university received awards from 80 different sponsors in fiscal 2005. “Competition for grant money is increasing, while the available funds remain somewhat stagnant. The growth in our research awards lends credibility to the national significance of faculty research programs at Marquette,” said Dr. Madeline Wake, provost of Marquette University.  “Not only do the awards impact the faculty and staff receiving them, but it benefits the global community by allowing our researchers to develop new and innovative solutions to challenges facing the world.” Federal investment increasing Federal award dollars for research at Marquette have increased from $7.3 million in 2004 to $8.1 million in 2005. Marquette faculty have more than doubled the federal research dollars awarded to their projects over the past three years and have increased all research dollars awarded to the university by 44 percent since 2002.  Representing a significant increase in 2005, funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has more than doubled for Marquette researchers over the past four years while the NIH budget has only increased slightly.  Between 2000 and 2003, the NIH budget increased nearly $10 billion.  Since 2003, the budget for NIH has had increases of less than $1 billion.  In 2005, NIH awarded more than $4 million to various projects, including biomedical research endeavors.  One example is Dr. Robert Scheidt, assistant professor in biomedical engineering, who received an award from the NIH to continue his work on “Quantifying Motor Adaptation Following Stroke.”  The knowledge gained from this project will be used to guide therapies that can improve motor performance following stroke, and to determine which patients might best benefit from such therapies. Current research In addition to Dr. Scheidt’s work, the following details ongoing research across many disciplines among Marquette faculty. Childhood Obesity - Dr. Marilyn Frenn, associate professor of nursing, is studying exercise and nutrition among students in grades 5 through 8. She is working with low-income and/or ethnic minority students, primarily African-American and Hispanic. Spinal Cord Injury - Dr. Brian Schmit, associate professor of biomedical engineering, is researching the role of interneuronal circuits in human spinal cord injury.  By understanding how these circuits function following spinal cord injury, Dr. Schmit hopes to form the basis for new treatment methods for spinal cord injury patients. Water Quality - Along with his students, Dr. Charles Melching, associate professor of engineering, is studying the flow and quality of the 76-mile Chicago Waterway System.  The results of this ongoing project will assist the people of the Chicago area to substantially improve their environment while allowing students to work on an important practical problem. Ergonomics - Dr. Richard Marklin, professor of mechanical engineering, continues his research in ergonomics, from working with utility workers maintaining power lines to electricity generation plant staff. Fair Trade Coffee - Dr. Molly Doane, assistant professor of social and cultural sciences, is researching a coffee commodity chain, extending from Chiapas, Mexico to the United States and the United Kingdom, to examine the multiple social, political and economic meanings of fair-trade coffee. Popular Culture, Bruce Springsteen, and the Law - Dr. David Papke, professor of law, is researching bridging popular culture and law, from looking at 20th century author/lawyers to the image of the judge in modern American culture to Bruce Springsteen songs seen in a legal light. Muscle fatigue in HIV/ AIDS and Cancer Patients - Dr. Alexander Ng, assistant professor of physical therapy, is exploring muscle fatigue in individuals with HIV/AIDS.  He also received research funding from the Lance Armstrong Foundation for his research on fatigue in cancer patients. Animal Communication and Endangered Species - Dr. Michael Johnson, assistant professor in electrical and computer engineering, is researching the classification and vocalization of animals. This work will lead to the development of well-founded models and methods for improving our understanding of animal communication and behavior, which will help with further research and the preservation of endangered species. In total, 192 faculty and staff submitted 392 proposals in fiscal 2005, an increase from fiscal 2004’s 160 applicants and 336 applications. First-time applicants led these increases.  In fiscal 2004, $18.3 million was awarded to 112 faculty and staff. The annual report published by the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs is available at http://www.marquette.edu/orsp/reports/index.shtml. Office of Marketing and Communication Contacts Anne Broeker Senior Media Relations Specialist Phone: (414) 288-0286 Send e-mail