University of New England

UNE exceeds the Morgane Challenge funding match for Biomedical Research Center
                        
BIDDEFORD, Maine – The University of New England has exceeded the Morgane Challenge matching goal of $300,000, receiving $450,332 in cash and pledges to help fund the Pickus Center for Biomedical Research, which includes the Cécile Morgane Research Laboratories.

Dr. Peter Morgane

In June 2007, Peter J. Morgane, Ph.D., UNE biomedical researcher and faculty member issued the challenge, enriching his previous legacy gift of $1 million. Both gifts are in honor of his late wife, Cécile Morgane.

Morgane Challenge donations came from a broad spectrum of private and professional donors, including alumni, the Maine Osteopathic Association and several on-campus student organizations, such as University of New England College of Medicine (UNECOM) Student Government Association.

Encouraging Others
Morgane commented,  “My goals for the challenge were to encourage others to support research and to assist in the recruitment of research scientists at the University of New England. Research provides educational opportunities for students as well as increased knowledge in fields that benefit human health. I am thrilled that the Challenge was met with such resounding support and want to thank everyone who contributed.”

Thanks in large part to the generosity of Morgane, the University broke ground on the 22,086-square-foot Center in October of 2007. It is expected to open in the fall of 2008. The research center will engage students in research as part of their medical studies; help to attract top-flight faculty; develop a critical mass of researchers; strengthen research in UNECOM’s areas of expertise such as pain, efficacy of osteopathic manipulative medicine, medical care of the elderly, chemistry of the brain; and assist in the acquisition of grants for future operation and growth.

UNE President Danielle Ripich said, “Peter Morgane’s donations will be instrumental in helping strengthen research at UNE, which has been an important part of his contribution as a faculty member and scientist. Without his support we would not be where we are today. His long history with the University is indicative of his dedication and these generous gifts mean a great deal coming from one of our own.” 

Faculty Member/Researcher
Morgane has been a faculty member and researcher in UNECOM’s pharmacology department since 1985. He came to UNE following a long career in research, primarily at the Worcester Foundation for Experimental Biology.

Morgane has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, and has garnered more than $4.5 million in grants from the National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation for research that took him to Mexico, Florida and Massachusetts. Morgane continues to focus on research, and also lectures at UNE several times a year to first- and second-year medical students on neuropharmacology, and diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. 

(Press release issued Jan. 3, 2008)