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Grants to WMU top $4.5 million in July and August

by Cheryl Roland

Oct. 21, 2011 | WMU News

KALAMAZOO--Grants to Western Michigan University soared past $4.5 million during July and August. July awards amounted to a little more than $2.2 million, while August grants came in at slightly more than $2.3 million.

Research grants led the way, topping $2.7 million, while awards for instruction nearly reached the $800,000 mark. Public service grants and grants for operations and maintenance both came in at nearly $500,000.

Research grants were led by an award from the U.S. Department of Education to Dr. Richard Long, associate dean in the College of Health and Human Services and professor of blindness and low vision studies. The continuing grant of nearly $900,000 will fund research access by blind and visually impaired individuals to complex intersections and develop strategies to enhance street crossing safety. A second notable research award, this one from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and totaling more than $400,000, will examine the ability of the adult brain to recover from damage due to injury or disease using a novel, reversible injury method and zebrafish, an organism with the same basic cell types found in humans.