DETROIT – So far this year, Wayne State professors have received an anticipated total of more than $116 million in external sponsored research awards, an increase of over 28.1% from FY23 at the same time. The funding will enable scientific discoveries through research addressing a wide range of needs, including human health and the environment.

The top recipients of funding through the end of March were the School of Medicine ($73.2 million), the School of Social Work ($5.9 million), School of Law ($5.4 million), College of Engineering ($5.0 million), the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences ($4.4 million), the Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences ($3.6 million) and the College of Nursing ($3.3 million).

The largest award of this quarter, $9.6 million from the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health, went to Ann Schwartz, Ph.D., professor and associate chair of oncology at the School of Medicine and vice president and deputy director of research and academic affairs at the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, for the study “Genetic Variation in Cancer Risk and Outcomes in African Americans.” The project includes three large studies that will work to improve the identification and clinical management of hereditary and multiple primary cancers in African Americans, a population that is underrepresented in genetic research.

“Through the important work of our faculty, Wayne State is playing a critical role in improving the lives of Detroiters and beyond,” said Ezemenari Obasi, Ph.D., vice president for research at Wayne State. “In addition, many of our funded programs provide our students with hands-on learning opportunities that will better prepare them for their future careers. I look forward to the future impact of our faculty and students.”