By Deb
Weis
"We are seeing a huge
return on our investment in faculty, staff, students and research resources."
--Fitzgerald B. Bramwell,
vice president for Research and
Graduate Studies
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Aug.
29, 2000 – (Lexington, Ky.) – University of Kentucky faculty and staff
experienced record success attracting research contracts, grants, and gifts during
1999-2000. Extramural funding for research climbed to $155.2 million – a 17.4
percent increase over the previous year. “This spectacular growth is the last
chapter of a 10-year plan to magnify the research profile of this institution,” said
Fitzgerald B. Bramwell, vice president for Research and Graduate Studies. “We
are seeing a huge return on our investment in faculty, staff, students, and research
resources beginning with major recruitment efforts in the early ‘90s and new
facilities such as the Health Sciences Research Building.”
UK received $82.4 million in grants
and contracts from federal agencies, 55.4 percent of the extramural funding total.
“Federal funding is considered an important measure of success among top research
universities,” Bramwell said.
Intellectual property activity is
another indicator of a top research university. During 1999-2000, 27 patents were
issued to the university and another 30 applications were submitted for new patents.
UK holds 225 patents, primarily in the areas of pharmaceuticals, plant biotechnology and
biomedical engineering.
UK-originated technologies that are
licensed for use by business and industry generated $2.8 million in royalties during the
past year. Top royalty-producing inventions include a nasal delivery method for
pharmaceuticals, three vaccines for horses, and an implant device for treating eye
diseases.
UK holds 67 license agreements with
various companies, 12 that were issued during 1999-2000. Eight licenses were issued
to Kentucky businesses.
“This year’s success is a
tribute to our top-notch faculty and staff who are dedicated to improving our lives
through research,” Bramwell said.
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