Pratt given $2 million in grants
The Whitaker Foundation has awarded two grants totaling nearly $2 million to the Pratt School of Engineering to accelerate research and teaching programs in genomic technology and biomolecular modeling, and in biophotonics--the merger of optical technologies with medicine.
Both "Special Opportunity Awards" went to the school's department of biomedical engineering. Together, they will fund four new faculty members, support new Ph.D. fellowships, outfit two new laboratories and help develop new undergraduate and graduate courses in biophotonics and genomic technology.
The award in biophotonics, for $999,111 over three years, is designed to make the school a leader in the field of biophotonics, officials said. The program, which will work closely with the school's new Fitzpatrick Center for Photonics and Communications Systems, is directed by Joseph Izatt, an associate professor of biomedical engineering, who joined the University last year. The program also will build and equip a state-of-the-art biophotonics teaching laboratory to be housed in the Fitzpatrick Center.
The award in genomic technology and biomolecular modeling totals $979,849 and its use will be directed by William Reichert, professor of biomedical engineering and chemistry, and George Truskey, professor of biomedical engineering.
In collaboration with Duke's Institute for Genome Sciences and Policy, they will develop a graduate education program in genomic technology and biomolecular modeling, highlighted by the establishment of an educational laboratory for genomic technology.
Genomics and culture conference set for this week
Professors, scientists, philosophers and writers will gather at Duke Nov. 21 to 23 to explore the multifaceted approach to the moral, religious, cultural and ethical issues raised by the study of the human genome.
Science-fiction writer Greg Bear will give a lecture titled, "The Really Big Problems in Life: What I Didn't Learn in Kindergarten or at MIT for that Matter" on Nov. 21 at 4 p.m. in Von Cannon A in the Bryan Center.
Dr. Robert Cook-Deegan, the director of Duke's Center for Genome Ethics, Law and Policy, will give a keynote speech Nov. 22. Also, at the Nov. 22 session of the conference, Kathleen Joyce and Brian Madison of Duke's religion department will talk about religious implications and responses to genomics, and Alex Rosenberg of the philosophy department will give a talk titled, "On the Irrelevance of Religion to Ethical Issues in Genomics: Plato's Argument."
Other speakers include Marcy Speer, from the Center for Human Genetics at Duke University Medical Center, talking about how genetic results are interpreted; Felicia Mebane, from the University of North Carolina School of Public Health, discussing how journalists cover genetics; and Allison Dushane, of the Duke English department, who will discuss vampire narratives.
The events on Nov. 22 and 23 will take place in the Carpenter Boardroom in Perkins Library.
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