UNE announces Centers of Excellence in Research and Scholarship

President Danielle Ripich, Ph.D., and Vice President for Research Tim Ford, Ph.D., are delighted to announce the establishment of centers of excellence in research and scholarship at the University of New England.

These university-wide centers build on existing strengths at the institution, in marine science and neuroscience, humanities and public health.

The centers are designed to provide opportunities for collaborative research and scholarship programs that are competitive for interdisciplinary, multi-investigator and multi-institutional awards. The centers are also designed to expand undergraduate research at UNE and explore opportunities for future Ph.D. programs.

Center for Land-Sea Interactions (CLSI):
Human, River and Ocean Health
Building on UNE‚Äôs established expertise in coastal oceanography, microbiology and pharmacology, CLSI Director Phil Yund, Ph.D., will lead a committed core of faculty forward in exploring issues in ‚ÄúOceans and Human Health‚Äù and related problems linking watersheds to the coastal ecosystem. Currently the most established center, CLSI has conducted two town hall meetings to solicit faculty interest and has already attracted attention from potential funding sources.

Center for Excellence in Neuroscience (CEN)
Directed by Professor Ed Bilsky, Ph.D., CEN faculty and students will focus on improving our understanding of the pathophysiology of neurological disease, and applying this knowledge into the clinical practice of medicine. The center will build on existing areas of expertise, including the physiology and pharmacology of acute and chronic pain, addiction neurobiology and the limbic system.

Center for Global Humanities (CGH)
Conceived and directed by Professor Anouar Majid, Ph.D., CGH will draw on the considerable humanities expertise throughout all colleges to create a center that can be a leader in addressing many of the critical challenges facing today‚Äôs global society.

Center for Community and Public Health (CCPH)
Earlier in the planning stages than the other centers, the establishment of CCPH represents an intersection of many disciplines ranging from social sciences to medicine. Dedicated to improving the human condition through research and education on public health practice, CCPH will be directed by Ron Deprez, Ph.D., and will focus on building community and public health programs at UNE, with both a local and a global perspective.

Dr. Ford states: "I'm delighted to support these four centers of excellence in research and scholarship. In collaboration, our faculty can build research, training and scholarship programs more effectively than they can alone. Through sharing of ideas and mentorship programs, center faculty help build the national and international reputation of all participants. By focusing on our current strengths, we can become known as leaders in these disciplines, while continuing to look for opportunities to build our expertise in other areas. I look forward to working with center directors to build areas of excellence and sustainable funding in disciplines that provide unique research and training opportunities for both our students and faculty."