Published January 15, 2019
               The Office of Sponsored Programs and Research (OSPR) is pleased to announce another
                  successful year in receiving grants and contracts from federal and state agencies
                  and foundations. OSPR received notifications on almost $14 million in newly awarded
                  research projects for 2018.听听
               
                  
                     
                     Dr. John Sutherlin, second from left, and OSPR staff members.
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Director of the OSPR, Dr. John W. Sutherlin, stated, "Our success is due in large
                  part because of the hard work and creativity of our faculty and support from the administration.
                  More than120 faculty are involved in funded-research, especially those related to
                  public health. The projects are not just academic exercises, but are critical to job
                  training and workforce development in our state and region."听
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A sampling of extraordinary projects include the following:
鈥 Dr. Karen Briski whose proposal was funded for $352,726 from the National Institutes
                  of Health (NIH)
鈥 Dr. Catherine Estis who received $490,000 from the Department of Education (DOE)
鈥 Dr. Todd Murphy who received $274, 857 from the National Science Foundation (NSF)听
鈥 Dr. Matthew Talbert who received $352,500 from NIH
 
               
Each of these projects are directly related to quality of life issues for our community.
                  Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Eric Pani, remarked, 鈥淥ur research, inspired
                  by professor鈥檚 curiosity, adds to the body of knowledge that solves society鈥檚 problems,
                  and enhances faculty status. Externally-funded research also strengthens the region鈥檚
                  economy and adds much-needed funds to the university budget. Faculty at 麻花影院 are stepping
                  up their externally-supported research and should be commended for these efforts.
                  So should Dr. John Sutherlin and the staff in the OSPR who are providing the support
                  needed for this work.鈥
               
麻花影院鈥檚 Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Research Council have played vital roles
                  in working with faculty and developing a better process for management of grant applications
                  and submissions. The Chairman of the Research Council, Dr. Joydeep Bhattacharjee,
                  claimed, 鈥淲e want to continue to play a pivotal role in fostering research among faculty.
                  In line with 麻花影院鈥檚 vision of being a top-performing regional university, the council
                  members have actively engaged in devising strategic ways to encourage research in
                  all disciplines, especially those that train our students for jobs. 麻花影院 continues
                  to see growth that impacts the community.鈥
               
With this continued support, 麻花影院鈥檚 faculty is actively making positive impacts upon
                  the community, state, and region. Sutherlin added, "麻花影院's research in public health
                  areas is directly impacting the quality of life, health, and jobs. Economic growth
                  in northeast Louisiana would be very different without 麻花影院."