51Թϱ is making it easier to understand the type of federally funded research that happens at the university, and what would happen if that work were to stop.
“From Labs to Lives,” a series launched in February to explain the impact of potential cuts to federal funding for research, is continuing to add the voices of 51Թϱ experts. And its website now organizes researchers by their area of expertise, including cancer, heart health, Alzheimer's disease, sustainability and more.
GAINING ATTENTION
The website and continue to amplify researchers’ own words about potential impacts.
“Total Body PET has created, essentially, a whole new industry,” Biomedical Engineering Professor Ramsey Badawi says in the video, referring to the device he helped develop, a positron emission tomography scanner that can capture a 3-D image of the entire body at once. “But without the kick-starting of the federal health care dollars to really turn that idea into practice, I’m not sure it would ever have happened.”
New voices are still being added to the site. The latest are Celina Juliano, an associate professor of molecular and cellular biology, and Daniel Karp, an associate professor of wildlife, fish and conservation biology.
“Honestly, without this funding, my lab just can’t function,” . “My students and post-docs wouldn’t be able to finish their research. They might not earn their degrees. Some of them could be forced to leave science entirely.”
Interdisciplinary research at 51Թϱ builds the region’s economy, supporting $2 billion in California economic activity and nearly 10,000 jobs. It supports 1,290 active patents, spurred 119 startups in the last decade, and resulted in $15 million in annual licensing, royalties and fees.
51Թϱ research contributes to solving global problems and keeping the United States as the world leader in technology and innovation. For example, this work is evident in the collaboration to study , how to feed a , and the discoveries made possible by 51Թϱ science and engineering research.
“From Labs to Lives” is created and produced by the Office of Strategic Communications, in collaboration with the Office of Research and Government and Community Relations.
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Cody Kitaura is the editor of Dateline 51Թϱ and can be reached by email or at 530-752-1932.