gr
grandrounds
T
he University of Virginia-
Virginia Tech Carilion Neuroscience
Research Collaboration is awarding
$550,000 to nine cross-university research
teams from the two institutions to tackle
pressing problems in brain development
and function in health and disease.
"We are taking full advantage of the
combined talent of our faculty and
encouraging lasting brain research collabo-
rations between the University of Virginia
and Virginia Tech Carilion," says Michael J.
Friedlander, PhD, vice president for health
sciences and technology and professor at
Virginia Tech, executive director of the
Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute
and senior dean for research at the
Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine.
"The pilot funding will serve as a catalyst
to form new teams to tackle important
questions, perform transformative work,
obtain new extramural research funding in
neuroscience for each of the partner insti-
tutions, and to develop new applications."
"We are looking forward to contin-
ued collaboration with Virginia Tech in
neurosciences and other translational
efforts," adds David S. Wilkes, MD, dean
of the UVA School of Medicine. "These
initial shared investments will provide the
basis for continuing collaborative projects
between our schools."
The grants address major questions and
health challenges, including:
• The mechanical forces of injuries leading
to concussions;
• New combined therapeutic strategies for
treating malignant brain tumors;
• Development of new therapeutics for
multiple sclerosis;
• Herpes virus infections in the brain;
• New strategies for treating Rett
syndrome in children;
UVA and Virginia Tech Carilion Partner in
Funding Leading-Edge Brain Research
2 Vitals Spring 2017