Published January 15, 2019
The Office of Sponsored Programs and Research (OSPR) is pleased to announce another
successful year in receiving grants and contracts from federal and state agencies
and foundations. OSPR received notifications on almost $14 million in newly awarded
research projects for 2018.
Dr. John Sutherlin, second from left, and OSPR staff members.
Director of the OSPR, Dr. John W. Sutherlin, stated, "Our success is due in large
part because of the hard work and creativity of our faculty and support from the administration.
More than120 faculty are involved in funded-research, especially those related to
public health. The projects are not just academic exercises, but are critical to job
training and workforce development in our state and region."
A sampling of extraordinary projects include the following:
• Dr. Karen Briski whose proposal was funded for $352,726 from the National Institutes
of Health (NIH)
• Dr. Catherine Estis who received $490,000 from the Department of Education (DOE)
• Dr. Todd Murphy who received $274, 857 from the National Science Foundation (NSF)
• Dr. Matthew Talbert who received $352,500 from NIH
Each of these projects are directly related to quality of life issues for our community.
Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Eric Pani, remarked, “Our research, inspired
by professor’s curiosity, adds to the body of knowledge that solves society’s problems,
and enhances faculty status. Externally-funded research also strengthens the region’s
economy and adds much-needed funds to the university budget. Faculty at ULM are stepping
up their externally-supported research and should be commended for these efforts.
So should Dr. John Sutherlin and the staff in the OSPR who are providing the support
needed for this work.”
ULM’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Research Council have played vital roles
in working with faculty and developing a better process for management of grant applications
and submissions. The Chairman of the Research Council, Dr. Joydeep Bhattacharjee,
claimed, “We want to continue to play a pivotal role in fostering research among faculty.
In line with ULM’s vision of being a top-performing regional university, the council
members have actively engaged in devising strategic ways to encourage research in
all disciplines, especially those that train our students for jobs. ULM continues
to see growth that impacts the community.”
With this continued support, ULM’s faculty is actively making positive impacts upon
the community, state, and region. Sutherlin added, "ULM's research in public health
areas is directly impacting the quality of life, health, and jobs. Economic growth
in northeast Louisiana would be very different without ULM."
