Corbett Administration Presents Nearly $5.3 Million in Health Research Grants

PHILADELPHIA, July 18, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania Department of Health Secretary Michael Wolf today presented several health research grants on behalf of Governor Tom Corbett to four Philadelphia institutions to fund projects ranging from pain treatment to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and cancer research.

Grant recipients included:

• Drexel University: $1,401,259; funding nine projects
• Fox Chase Cancer Center: $2,176,696; funding six projects
• Monell Chemical Senses Center: $234,200; funding two projects
• The Wistar Institute: $1,491,186; funding five projects 

The Commonwealth Universal Research Enhancement (CURE) Program funds grants for health research with the purpose of discovering new scientific knowledge to help improve the health of all Pennsylvanians.  

"Over the years, CURE grants have led to amazing medical advancements and new scientific breakthroughs in treating diseases and health conditions. This year's projects are no different," Wolf said. "The Department of Health is proud to fund such bold and innovative research projects."

These grants, allocated in the 2012-13 fiscal year, focus on specific research priorities established and reviewed by the Department of Health in conjunction with the Health Research Advisory Committee, a panel made up of universities and research institutes.

Wolf presented the awards today to The Wistar Institute's President and CEO Russel Kaufman; Dr. Robert Margolskee, associate director for Monell Chemical Senses Center; Fox Chase Cancer Center's Associate Professor and Leader of the Inflammation Working Group Dr. Glenn F. Rall; and Dr. Kenny J. Simansky, vice dean for research at Drexel University College of Medicine.

"During the past decade, CURE grants have enabled Monell's scientists to make exciting discoveries that will serve to improve the health of Pennsylvania's citizens," Margolskee said. "More recently, the invaluable seed money from CURE grants has allowed us to support talented early stage scientists with promising new ideas. As the world's leading institute for research on taste and smell, we are able to use these funds to better understand how these essential senses contribute to human health."

By law, the grants must focus on clinical, health services, and/or biomedical research, with a goal of improving health status and access.

"We are grateful for the commonwealth's continued support of medical research," Daniel V. Schidlow, Annenberg Dean and senior vice president of medical affairs at Drexel University College of Medicine, said. "The CURE grants have given our faculty members the opportunity to pursue a number of worthy research projects with the collaboration of multiple investigators across Drexel University."  

This year, there are 28 CURE grant recipients receiving awards totaling $41.9 million. Since the grant program's inception the state has distributed nearly $800 million in total CURE awards. 

"Over the years, Wistar researchers have made exceptional use of CURE funding to kick start vital research initiatives that will profoundly affect the future of medicine," said Kaufman. "This year is no exception, and we see the commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a critical partner in our efforts to advance medical science and further Pennsylvania's reputation as a global leader in biomedicine."

Find more information about the CURE program on the Department of Health's website at www.health.state.pa.us/cure.

Media contact: Kait Gillis, 717-787-1783

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Health