For immediate release: Feb. 27, 2006

GALVESTON, Texas — The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston has received $500,000 to establish the Center for Nursing Research and Evaluation and improve the recruitment of faculty-researchers at the UTMB School of Nursing.

“These funds are targeted to enhance our ability to recruit new nursing faculty, especially faculty with demonstrated interest in research or ongoing research programs,” said Pamela G. Watson, dean of the UTMB School of Nursing. “At the same time, we will focus on enhancing the diversity of our faculty.”

The University of Texas System provided the funding through its Enrich Nursing Through Exceptional Recruitment program. The money will be used to recruit three nurse-scientists to work at the Center for Nursing Research and Evaluation. Negotiations are already under way.

In addition to supporting the researchers, the funds will be used to add 1,135 square feet to the 1,688-square-foot wet lab that opened late last year at the School of Nursing. “Wet labs” are equipped with fume hoods and sinks, among other equipment. The expansion will provide additional space for research assistants to do their work and for study volunteers to be interviewed and examined. It will also fund equipment.

“We are ecstatic about this funding from the University of Texas System in response to the nursing faculty shortage in Texas,” Watson said. “The funds will be used to nearly double the size of our Center for Nursing Research and Evaluation. In so doing we will greatly enhance UTMB's appeal for doctorally prepared nurse-scientists.”

The focus at the CNRE is on bio-behavioral research. For example, one ongoing study is examining the effect of stress on pregnancy in minority populations. The objective is to translate the knowledge gained in the laboratory to clinical settings where it can benefit patients.

“The research works in concert with the university's goals for interdisciplinary translational research,” Watson said. “We will also concentrate on research of particular concern to the populations we serve. Those include breast cancer, domestic violence, childhood obesity and prevention of premature births.”
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
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John Koloen: (409) 772-8790 jskoloen@utmb.edu