WPI, UMass Lowell grant $100K for medical research

Photo | WBJ File Worcester Polytechnic Institute's campus

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By Timothy Doyle

Worcester Polytechnic Institute and UMass Lowell have awarded nearly $100,000 to five teams of researchers from both campuses for health and life science research projects.

WPI contributed $39,958 and UMass Lowell, $59,826.

“WPI and UMass Lowell researchers possess complementary expertise, ideal for partnering on research projects that will positively address important health issues,” Bogdan Vernescu, WPI vice provost for research, said in a Thursday press release. “These seed grants will launch research that is meant to grow into larger projects funded by outside organizations.”

To study bacterial pathogens, Scarlet Shell, associate professor in the WPI Department of Biology and Biotechnology, and Mingdi Yan, professor in the UMass Lowell chemistry department, received $19,900.

To study approaches to training people with diverse bodies in the use of wheelchairs, Kelilah Wolkowicz, assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Erika Lewis, associate professor in the Department of Physical Therapy & Kinesiology, and Yuko Oda, associate teaching professor in the Department of Art & Design, all of UMass Lowell; and Yunus Telliel, assistant professor, and Jennifer deWinter, professor, both of the WPI Department of Humanities & Arts, received $19,864.

To study muscle recovery after injury, Nicolai Konow, assistant professor, and Jeffrey Moore, professor, both of the UMass Lowell Department of Biological Sciences; and Matt Gage, associate professor in the UMass Lowell chemistry department; and Sam Walcott, associate professor in the WPI Department of Mathematical Sciences, received $19,930.

For virus study, Seongkyu Yoon, professor at the UMass Lowell chemical engineering department; and Eric Young, assistant professor at the WPI chemical engineering department received $20,000.