MOREHEAD, Ky.—Morehead State University has been awarded a $300,000 grant by the Exomedicine Institute, a Kentucky based nonprofit that fosters medical research and development in the microgravity environment of space, for the creation of the Exomedicine Center for Applied Technology.
The official presentation occurred Tuesday, Jan. 31, at MSU’s Space Science Center.
The first of its kind, the Exomedicine Center for Applied Technology will bring together scientists, researchers, entrepreneurs and students to design, develop and execute experiments which will then have the opportunity to be carried out aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
“Morehead State University is proud to be at the forefront of space-based medical research,” said Dr. Wayne D. Andrews, MSU president. “The Exomedicine Center for Applied Technology will allow our students and professors to be a part of cutting-edge experimentation that has the potential to change lives and the future of life science research as we know it. This center has huge potential for MSU.”
“I was honored to include language in the 2016 budget bill that made this appropriation possible. I worked closely with Morehead State University and the Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation on this important investment,” said State Rep. Rocky Adkins. “This type of innovation provides us with the potential to find cures for terrible diseases like cancer, while also creating the type of 21st century jobs our people need and deserve. It’s another important step toward rebuilding and diversifying the economy of Eastern Kentucky.”
This unique opportunity is made possible by the center’s partnership with the Exomedicine Institute, located in Lexington, which maintains infrastructure aboard the ISS to conduct such experiments. Findings from these experiments will be used to improve medical treatments for patients on Earth.
“The microgravity environment of space represents a vast, untapped laboratory for exploring new medical solutions. Our investment in Morehead represents an important step toward mainstreaming this exciting new field,” said Kyle Keeney, executive director of the Exomedicine Institute. “Researchers are already discovering valuable new information about cancer, pharmaceuticals and even tissue regeneration from experiments on the International Space Station.”
Also speaking during the presentation were Kris Kimel, Exomedicine Institute founder; Terry Samuel, Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation chief operating officer; and Dr. Ben Malphrus, MSU’s Space Science Center executive director.
Dr. Malphrus read a statement from Lt. Gov. Jenean Hampton:
“Exomedicine is a fascinating and exciting new field of medicine. It is amazing that within our lifetime people could be shuttled to low-Earth orbit environments to receive medical treatments. Exomedicine is the perfect marriage of science, technology, math, medicine, and aerospace, which presents tremendous opportunities for today’s students in terms of engaging curriculum and practical applications. Breakthroughs in the field of Exomedicine also translates to revolutionary and high-paying future employment opportunities for the generations of tomorrow. The future is certainly bright for Exomedicine in Kentucky.”
The Exomedicine Center for Applied Technology is expected to be fully operational by May 2017.
To learn more about the Exomedicine Institute and space-based medical research, visit www.exomedicine.com.
Additional information is available by contacting Dr. Malphrus at 606-783-2381 or visit www.moreheadstate.edu/ssc
