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Solving
World Health Problems
MU
researchers generate $2 million for campus while helping solve
health problems worldwide
They screen animals for infectious diseases, they apply research
to solve human infertility problems, and they preserve DNA of
unique animals used to solve human health problems in case of
loss. They provide these services to researchers at more than
350 institutions worldwide and the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Last year revenue generated by these activities at the Research
Animal Diagnostic Laboratory (RADIL) resulted in $2.1 million
for MU, helping to compensate for lost state appropriations. In
addition, a faculty incentive plan provides for RADIL faculty
and staff to share in the profits of the enterprise.
“We provide services for researchers who don’t have
the animal health screening and reproductive biology resources
to conduct their work,” said Lela Riley, associate dean
for research at the MU College of Veterinary Medicine and director
of RADIL. “In addition, we are completing our own studies
on infectious diseases, fertility techniques and infertility problems.
We have helped with research on some of the foremost health problems
in the world today while generating additional revenue for the
University during these tight budget times.”
As part of their work, faculty and staff at the center take part
in the RADIL incentive plan, which offers additional money to
employees depending on the success of the center. At the same
time, half of the profits from RADIL go to the University’s
general operating fund. The University reinvests the money in
infrastructure and other areas that help continue its commitment
to undergraduate and graduate education and life sciences research.
Riley credits her research team along with the incentive program
for RADIL’s success.
“These incentives appropriately reward people who are doing
the work, while at the same time give back to the College
of Veterinary Medicine and the MU campus,” Provost Brady
Deaton said. “These researchers have a knowledge-based specialization
that is currently not being duplicated anywhere else. They provide
a tremendous scientific need in our society, serving as a resource
to the nation and world. In turn, they help to attract other top-notch
faculty to our campus. Their value, especially during this time
of budget difficulty, cannot be overstated.”
“This is a great investment for the University and the state
of Missouri,” said John Critser, chairman of the veterinary
medicine pathobiology department and RADIL research member. “Last
year, the University contributed less than $135,000 to our operations.
In return, we not only generated a substantial profit, but were
responsible for winning 13 grants that brought in $6.87 million
in research funds, and trained 11 post-doctoral fellows and four
graduate students.”
“Another goal of RADIL is to make MU a nationally known
resource center for cryopreservation for researchers at other
universities,” Critser said. “While other universities
have similar capabilities, MU is one of the largest sites in the
nation. Such a center assists other researchers who cannot maintain
large numbers of animals for years, which can be expensive. These
centers also protect the material against loss, such as a natural
disaster.”
According to Critser, centers such as RADIL
are the future of academic research. Because of the market-driven
demand for such centers, universities are finding the entrepreneurial
benefit of operating these centers.
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Copyright © 2007 — Curators of the University of Missouri
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An equal opportunity/ADA institution.
Published by the Mizzou Alumni Association
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Last Update:
November 15, 2007
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