C06OD036042

Stillman Chronic Disease Research and Training Shared Facility - Project Summary / Abstract

The Stillman Chronic Disease Research and Training Shared Facility will be new construction and serve as the college's first facility dedicated entirely to research. The research focus in chronic diseases leading to health disparities is aligned with our faculty members' interests, our established collaborations, and the health disparities in the state, the region, and the community.

This facility will enhance institution-wide research programs and facilitate collaborations with research intensive partners to transform the department to one that develops relevant research programs, building upon existing biomedical pipeline initiatives.

Stillman College is a historically black liberal arts college (HBCU) that was founded in 1876 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Located on a 105-acre former slave plantation, Stillman is known for producing African American biomedical scientists who excel in the health professions and research.

According to the National Science Foundation (NSF), National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, Survey of Earned Doctorates, Stillman graduates earned 35 PhDs between 2010 and 2020 and ranked 17th of baccalaureate HBCUs producing PhDs. This is significant because the student population represents more than 80% Pell recipients and 1st generation in college, averages 700 full-time students and 100 graduates each year. Out of the 100 biology majors, Stillman produces 25 graduates annually and more than 50% enroll in biomedical graduate programs.

The department's goals in the Stillman Strategic Plan (2017-2022) are to: 1. Increase retention, 2. Increase the number of students entering summer research programs, 3. To have a 90 percent first time pass rate on the senior exit exam and senior thesis research paper and presentation, and 4. To increase the number of graduates entering graduate and/or professional schools.

Stillman College qualifies as an Institution of Emerging Excellence (IEE) based on all the criteria in 42 USC 283K(C)(2): Stillman has a research program focused on cardiovascular diseases and other health disparities. According to the CDC, the leading causes of death in Alabama are stroke (ranks 2nd in the nation), heart disease (4th), and Alzheimer's disease (5th). Alabama is in the stroke belt; 14 counties have stroke mortality rates greater than 50% of the nation's rate and mortality is 35% higher in African Americans (61.7) than Caucasians (45.7). Alabama is also designated as an EPSCoR state. Stillman is in the poorest census tract in the city, has the highest concentration of African Americans (97%), and is designated an Opportunity Zone.

The Stillman Chronic Disease Research and Training Shared Facility will enable Stillman faculty, students, and collaborators to develop research expertise in cardiovascular and other chronic diseases that produce health disparities in African Americans.

Stillman College

NOT APPLICABLE

93.352 - Construction Support

National Institutes of Health (NIH) [HHS]

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) [HHS - NIH]

Tuscaloosa, Alabama 354012618 United States

Single Zip Code

Biomedical Research Facilities (C06 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) (PAR-23-045)