Northern Arizona University (NAU) has achieved a significant milestone by securing its first T32 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This substantial funding will support the education of 20 doctoral candidates over the next five years.
The G-RISE program at NAU has been allocated $1.76 million, which will be distributed over five years to nurture doctoral students across four distinct fields. This initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance the biomedical and health science workforce in the U.S., thereby improving public and community health outcomes.
Annually, a relatively small percentage of applications receive funding, with only about 25% to 33% being approved, according to NIH data.
“Through training in foundational research skills, hands-on research and career development activities, G-RISE students will develop the skills needed to not only contribute to but also lead biomedical and translational research projects,” stated Dirk de Heer, a professor in the Department of Health Sciences and principal investigator on the grant. “Ideally, these students will be able to use their skills to address the pressing health challenges facing our nation.”
The program aims to fund eight students per year, each for two years. Eligible NAU doctoral students in their second year of studies in biological sciences, informatics and computing, interdisciplinary health, or earth sciences and environmental sustainability will receive support. This includes tuition aid, an annual stipend close to $30,000, and mentorship from over 40 faculty members.
Key contributors to the grant include Anita Antoninka, associate research professor in the School of Forestry; Cathy Propper, professor in the Department of Biological Sciences; and Jani Ingram, Regents’ professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, who are serving as co-principal investigators. Kelly Laurila, a research scientist in the Center for Community Health and Engaged Research (CHER), is the lead evaluator.
“This T32 award is a powerful endorsement of our faculty’s research excellence and our university’s commitment to advancing biomedical and health-focused discovery,” remarked Janelle Chiasera, dean of the College of Health and Human Services. “This NIH investment will elevate outstanding doctoral scholars, expand our research capacity, and strengthen the scientific workforce our communities depend on. We are grateful for the collaborative leadership that made this possible and look forward to the impact these scholars will have across Arizona and beyond.”
The grant underscores NAU’s robust pool of faculty mentors, renowned for their research and history of securing external funding, as well as the caliber of its current and future doctoral students. NAU’s institutional focus on educational excellence and upward mobility positions it well for this endeavor.
“This T32 award from the National Institutes of Health gives NAU doctoral students vital support to pursue research that will tackle health challenges facing communities in Arizona and beyond,” said NAU President José Luis Cruz Rivera. “This program reflects NAU’s values of access and impactful research, and it will leave a lasting mark on our university. I am grateful for our faculty who led this proposal and who will support the research, mentorship, and success of our doctoral students on their journeys at NAU.”
Heidi Toth | NAU Communications
(928) 523-8737 | heidi.toth@nau.edu
Read More Here
