One investigator works to create a handheld telemedicine device to help manage airway problems in injured soldiers while the other aims to develop a device that restores vision for those blinded by trauma or eye disease.
Both Ben Boedeker, M.D., Ph.D., and Eyal Margalit, M.D., Ph.D., saw their projects authorized recently by the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee as part of the fiscal year 2011 Defense Authorization bill.
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Dr. Boedeker, professor of anesthesiology, and Dr. Margalit, associate professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences, each had their projects authorized for $3 million. The projects will initially benefit military personnel, but both have civilian applications.
U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson deserves praise for his efforts to expand UNMC medical research in Nebraska and help secure the funds, said UNMC Chancellor Harold M. Maurer, M.D.
“We are grateful for Sen. Nelson’s tireless efforts to advocate for UNMC research in the Senate,” Dr. Maurer said. “If approved, these funds will be critical to advancing two very important research projects on this campus.”
In separate action, Nelson has requested funding for three additional UNMC projects in the fiscal year 2011 Defense Appropriations bill.
They include:
- A nerve agent exposure test kit;
- A project to predict and address epilepsy caused by trauma-related injury; and
- A collaborative project with Iowa State University to develop new respiratory and neurological vaccines to protect soldiers.
While these projects were not included in the authorization, they are eligible for funding as part of the fiscal year 2011 Defense Appropriations bill.