In celebration of its 10th anniversary, the National Strategic Research Institute at the University of Nebraska has published an updated impact report for UNMC, highlighting the contributions of researchers and students to its national security mission.
Since it was established in October 2012 as a University Affiliated Research Center, designated by the Department of Defense and sponsored by U.S. Strategic Command, the institute has facilitated 147 contracts with 48 federal government agencies for a total contract award value of $207.5 million. Seventeen UNMC researchers have led 31 of these contracts.
“NSRI is a very unique feature for the NU research community and really promotes collaborations across the NU campuses,” said Rebecca Oberley-Deegan, PhD, NSRI fellow, project contributor and professor in the UNMC Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
Featured in the impact report is Ken Bayles, PhD, UNMC vice chancellor for research, who launched UNMC’s work with the NSRI and USSTRATCOM in 2012 with the project titled, “Research initiative for next generation anthrax vaccine.” Dr. Bayles went on to lead and co-lead three additional projects through the institute, two of which created the Nebraska Drug Discovery & Development Pipeline, a system-wide initiative that engages more than 200 researchers.
Other highlights include:
- Project: “En Route Care Acute Respiratory Distress System Mitigation Using Oxygenated Microbubbles,” Keely Buesing, MD
- Facility: Nebraska Biocontainment Unit
- Facility: National Quarantine Unit
- Facility: iExcel
“Congratulations to NSRI for ten years of serving as a trusted agent for the DOD,” Dr. Bayles said. “I couldn’t be more excited to help build on the momentum of the first decade and develop new and exciting research opportunities for our faculty, staff and students.”
Current projects include:
- Biological and chemical threat characterization and medical countermeasure development, Defense Threat Reduction Agency
- Surveillance of pathogens causing severe infections and associated antimicrobial resistance, Defense Health Agency
- Targeted acquisition of reference materials augmenting capabilities initiative, Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense
Three of NSRI’s independent research and development projects include UNMC collaborators, and 33 UNMC researchers serve as NSRI fellows.
“UNMC researchers and students have proven through their work an incredible capacity to enhance the safety and capability of our nation’s warfighters,” said UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, MD. “Their commitment to purpose, combined with the leadership NSRI provides, continues to drive our institution forward in this mission. I look forward to what comes next.”
Maj. Gen. USAF (Ret.) Rick Evans, NSRI executive director, published a message on Oct. 12 to launch the celebratory campaign for the institute. That message can be found online here.
Congrats Dr. Deegan