Coordinating Commission tours Durham Research Center

Phyllis Muellenberg, director of the medical technology program at UNMC, talks with Omaha resident Dick Davis, chairman of the Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education, at lunch on Thursday.

The Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education met Thursday on the UNMC campus, where they heard an overview of the campus’ future plans and received a firsthand look at the Durham Research Center.

David Powers, Ed.D., executive director of the coordinating commission, said the visit to UNMC was an “absolutely fascinating opportunity” to learn more about the Med Center and its course into the future.

“We want to applaud you for your success and applaud you for your hospitality,” Dr. Powers said.

The 11-member CCPE is responsible for the comprehensive statewide planning for postsecondary education. The commission enacts policies to meet the educational, research and public service needs of the state, and manages the state’s resources through the elimination of unnecessary programs and facilities among Nebraska’s public institutions.

Paul Larsen, M.D., left, professor of pediatric neurology at UNMC, visits with commissioner Eric Seacrest of North Platte.

On Thursday, they conducted their regular meeting. Rubens Pamies, M.D., vice chancellor for academic affairs at UNMC, welcomed the commission and provided an overview of the campus. After lunch, Tom Rosenquist, Ph.D., vice chancellor for research, told the commission’s members that since 1998, the annual funding for research at UNMC has grown from $27 million to $65 million.

“Our goal is to reach $100 million in external research funding by the end of 2005, and we’re on track to do that,” Dr. Rosenquist said. The Durham Research Center, Dr. Rosenquist said, has provided the infrastructure and the allure to top researchers to accomplish that goal. The $77 million research center was funded almost exclusively with private gifts. The largest gift came from Omaha businessman Chuck Durham.
“Mr. Durham is our hero, as investigators,” said Dr. Rosenquist, whose research lab and office are on the eighth floor of the DRC.

Commissioners also toured the Durham Research Center. Paul Larsen, M.D., professor in the department of pediatric neurology, gave an overview of the various teaching tools available in the educational classrooms and three scientists provided synopses of the workings of specific laboratories. Those scientists included Diane Allen-Gibson, Ph.D., Pulmonary Research Lab; Janice Taylor, Confocal Microscopy Core Facility, and Laurey Steinke, Ph.D., Protein Structure Core Facility.