The
University of Kansas intends to add 18 new faculty positions at the Lawrence
campus in 2003-04, thanks to funding provided by this year's enhancement
tuition increase. KU is a national leader in life sciences research and
transfers part of that research to the private sector, said Shulenburger. Adding 13 faculty in that area will increase
KU's ability to offer coursework, produce graduates, conduct research, and
contribute to the state's economy.
"The recent announcement that
Atlanta-based Serologicals Corp. plans to build a manufacturing facility in
Lawrence reinforces our belief that adding faculty in the life sciences is
prudent and timely," said Shulenburger.
Bioinformatics,
a field of science in which biology, computer science and information
technology merge into a single discipline, is given special emphasis under the
plan. KU will establish a multidisciplinary Bioinformatics Committee and hire
a faculty director of bioinformatics, in addition to new teaching faculty. An
undergraduate survey course and a minor in bioinformatics will be developed as
well as a graduate concentration.
"This
signals our firm intent to organize and build upon our existing expertise so
that we can fully develop bioinformatics at KU," said Shulenburger.
"It is an essential component of other life sciences research, and is
also a field with many career opportunities for students."
Other
strong life sciences programs slated to add positions include cognitive
neuroscience, chemistry, biomolecular engineering, genetics,
pharmacology/toxicology, and medicinal chemistry. (Story provided by KU
University Relations.) •