Six WSU School of Medicine researchers received more than $5.3 million in the 2005 round of funding from the Michigan Technology Tri-Corridor, a division of the Michigan Economic Development Corp. that fosters growth in advanced automotive technologies,  homeland security and life sciences.

In addition, two researchers from the WSU College of Science received two additional grants totaling more than $1.5 million. WSU researchers accounted for about a quarter of research funds awarded, which totaled $27.3 million.

The grants were the result of a competitive, peer-reviewed process including researchers at Michigan public universities and entrepreneurs working to commercialize technology-based products that have potential to enhance and extend life. The program seeks to fund the best basic research, applied research and commercialization projects in Michigan and encourages collaboration between researchers and technology companies. 

Grant recipients include:

• Dr. Ewart Haacke, WSU professor of radiology, who received about $2 million for "A National Center of Excellence for Magnetic Resonance Imaging";
• Dr. Li Hsieh, WSU assistant professor of audiology and speech pathology in the College of Science, who received about $1.2 million for "Investigation of Neural Mechanisms of Driving Safety and Speech Distraction Using fMRI and MEG Imaging"
• Dr. Charles Shanley, WSU associate professor of surgery, who received about $950,000 for "Congestive Heart Failure Monitoring Using an Improved Wireless Intraventricular Pressure Sensor";
• Dr. Jack Sobel, WSU professor and division chief of infectious disease, who received about $908,000 for "Microfluidics PCR Diagnosis of Fungal Infection";
• Dr. Krishna Rao Maddipati, WSU assistant professor of radiation oncology, who received about $570,000 for "Anticancer Prodrug Development Program";
• Dr. Russell Finley, WSU associate professor in the Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, who received $501,000 for "Tools for Drug Target Discovery and Development of Diagnostics and Vaccines for Pathogenic Bacteria";
• Dr. Otto Muzik, WSU associate professor of radiology, who received about $391,000 for "Software Tools for Neuroimaging in Epilepsy"; and
• Dr. Jing Hua, WSU assistant professor of computer science in the College of Science, who received about $275,000 for "Virtual Histology with Volumetric Computerized Tomography."