In the News: WCU Researchers Join the Fight Against Mosquito-Borne Diseases
The research of Dr. Byrd and Dr. Huffman is backed by an NCInnovation grant
Cullowhee, NC – The Smoky Mountain News recently interviewed Western Carolina University researchers Dr. Brian Byrd and Dr. Scott Huffman, about their work in mosquito-borne infectious disease identification and risk assessment.
Drs. Byrd and Huffman are leading one of eight research projects included in NCInnovation’s first round of approved pilot grants to public universities. NCInnovation helps inventions advance towards commercialization by supporting university applied research through the critical R&D phase between proof concept and readiness for the private market.
Western Carolina University Chancellor Kelli R. Brown said of the research grants for her university, “Dr. Byrd and Dr. Huffman’s award from NCInnovation is a testament to the exemplary dedication to teaching and applied research by the outstanding faculty at Western Carolina University. We are confident that this announcement will serve as a catalyst for additional innovative exploration by our faculty as we strive to bolster economic conditions in Western North Carolina and indeed the entire state. I would like to thank the General Assembly for supporting exciting, applied research underway here at WCU and across the UNC System.”
Read more about Western Carolina University researchers Dr. Byrd and Dr. Huffman in the Smoky Mountain News:
Excerpts:
Dr. Byrd: “All mosquito-borne diseases are essentially preventable. Diseases transmitted by the world’s deadliest animal are many and plague nearly the entire planet, especially the developing world. . . [Many organizations] devote untold hours to reducing the estimated 1 million deaths mosquitos cause each year…”
Dr. Huffman: “NCI’s expertise from a business perspective, from a commercialization perspective, they’re lining us up with their regional directors to get us on a track so that we have the best chance for success.”
Dr. Byrd: “Heretofore, we’ve used research-grade instruments to do this. Dr. Huffman, as a chemist, has all these amazing instruments, and we’re using one that probably costs a quarter of a million dollars. The big goal here is to use a less expensive instrument, one that literally can sit on a benchtop at the local health department or regional health department or at a private industry.”
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NCInnovation is 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation focused intensely on accelerating commercialized innovation from North Carolina’s universities. NCInnovation deploys funding, mentors, and support services so that North Carolina university proofs-of-concept turn into companies and create jobs that remain in North Carolina. Learn more at NCInnovation.org.
