Contact: Lynn Bretz, University Relations, (785) 864-8866, or Ranjit Arab, University Relations, (785) 864-8855.
TOPEKA, Kan. - What do the first skin-grafting device for burn treatments, pest-resistant wheat and techniques to prevent icing on aircraft wings have in common?
Kansas research universities gave rise to them all.
And, if Kansans have their way, such research efforts will receive better funding at the state and federal level.
In a nearly unanimous show of support, 96 percent of Kansans surveyed said it is important for the state to support research at the three research universities - Kansas State University, the University of Kansas and Wichita State University.
The survey also reported 93 percent of respondents favor using state funds for university science and engineering programs. The statewide survey of 800 residents in 97 counties was conducted by Research America, a national alliance of health and science organizations based in Alexandria, Va.
Leaders of the state's three research universities joined U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., in unveiling the Research America survey results at a press conference.
Roberts said the landmark survey revealed "strong Kansas grassroots support for research." He cited survey figures that 68 percent of Kansans favor doubling state funding for science and engineering research over the next 10 years and 65 percent favor doubling federal funding for health research over the next five years. In addition, more than 80 percent favor using state lottery funds to support university research and engineering programs.
"The survey results clearly show that the people of Kansas are committed to supporting and advancing research initiatives at the state's research universities," said Robert E. Hemenway, KU chancellor. "They understand that university research not only produces more jobs for the state but also leads to improvements in the quality of life for everyone."
The U.S. Department of Commerce estimates that about 41 jobs are created in the Kansas economy for every $1 million in research and development expenditures at the universities. According to the most recent tally of the three institutions, combined research expenditures in fiscal year 1997 totaled $236 million and generated more than 9,600 jobs throughout the state.
To develop research initiatives, the three universities are creating a network of collaborative relationships, not only with each other but also with regional institutions such as the Stowers Institute in Kansas City, Mo., and the Boeing Company in Wichita, among others.
Through Roberts' Science and Technology for the Future Committee, the Kansas Technology Enterprise Corp. and the research universities have targeted strategic initiatives in key areas: agricultural biotechnology, aviation, human biosciences and information technology.
"Working together, the research universities have cultivated a number of significant research projects important to the citizens of Kansas, to the state's economy and to the quality of life of our state," said Jon Wefald, Kansas State president. "We will continue to work on this important collaboration because it helps provide an attitude of mutual respect, trust and cooperation."
The state universities' research efforts prepare Kansas students for jobs and leadership roles in the work force. Currently, the annual income for alumni of the three research universities is $9 billion and the state tax paid by these graduates totals $700 million annually, according to Robert Barnhill, KU vice chancellor for research and public service.
A highly trained work force is a key to success in recruiting new businesses to move to the state, Barnhill said.
"Our research labs are also teaching labs for our students," said Don Beggs, Wichita State president. "Every high-tech firm operating in today's knowledge-based economy wants to know if a state has the educated work force it needs. If Kansas is going to keep pace with other states in recruiting and retaining these businesses and industries, we need a strong commitment of support for our research universities."
Among the most successful and promising research projects to come out of Kansas' three research universities:
* The creation of Captisol by KU pharmaceutical researchers Valentino Stella and Roger Rajewski. Captisol is an additive that ensures the safe delivery of a variety of drugs, from anti-cancer agents to epilepsy treatments, by making them more soluble in the body. The development of Captisol has led to the creation of an Overland Park company, CyDex Inc., which currently employs 13 people. Captisol has already been licensed to several major pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer, Allergan, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Daiichi Pharmaceutical and Peptichemio.
* In 1995, Nantek Inc., Kansas State's first spin-off company, was founded to further develop and commercialize reactive nanoparticle technology developed through basic research by Kenneth J. Klabunde, Kansas State distinguished professor of chemistry. Through a process known as destructive adsorption, Nantek's technology can detoxify extremely hazardous substances, such as chlorinated hydrocarbons, PCBs, insecticides, acid gases and military warfare agents. The technology has applications in environmental cleanup, acid gas scrubbing, air and water filtration, protective skin creams and clothing, catalysts, and odor control.
In 1999, the Manhattan-based company raised $1.5 million in a private stock offering to construct pilot plant facilities and solidify cooperative development projects with potential customers. Nantek employs 16 people, with anticipated growth to 20 by the end of the year. The Silicon Prairie Technology Association chose Nantek for its Technology of the Year award in 1997 and Deloitte & Touche selected Nantek as one of 50 Fast-Paced companies in both 1999 and 2000.
* Michael Papadakis of the National Institute for Aviation Research and aerospace engineering at Wichita State is addressing a serious problem related to aviation safety - the formation of ice on aerodynamic surfaces. He is designing hot air anti-icing systems, with funding from the Kansas aviation industry and the state.
When delivery of six Boeing 777 aircraft was threatened because of seat crashworthiness certification delays, Wichita State's National Institute for Aviation Research solved the problem, enabling the six airplanes, valued at $150 million each, to be delivered on schedule. As a result, Boeing was spared millions of dollars in penalties.
* The development of an oral vaccine against HIV in monkeys by Bill Narayan and his team of researchers at the KU Medical Center. In 1997, the researchers created a type of HIV-1 virus that, under certain conditions, causes an AIDS-like syndrome in monkeys after six months. As a result, they also created an oral vaccine that gives complete protection against the AIDS-like syndrome in monkeys.
Further funding will help researchers develop the vaccine and get FDA approval to begin testing it on humans. Continued support of this research could bring hope to the estimated 33.4 million people worldwide who are living with HIV infection or AIDS, according to recent statistics from the World Health Organization.