Midwestern University continues to contribute to scientific advancement by supporting faculty researchers who are investigating important health issues.

Working with the university’s Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, three faculty members received significant external funding from the National Institute of Health to support their work. With this support, the faculty researchers are poised to make meaningful contributions to their respective fields, driving innovation and improving healthcare outcomes while also providing opportunities for Midwestern University students to gain valuable research experience.

Kristina Martinez-Guryn, Ph.D., RD, Associate Professor, Biomedical Sciences (Downers Grove, Ill.) received a $774,044 NIH research grant for her project “Probing short-and-long term consequences of Small and Large Bowel Microbiota Transplants on Host Physiology: Implications for the development of future live biotherapeutics” (a subaward from The University of Chicago);

Adebayo James Molehin, Ph.D., M.S., Assistant Professor, Microbiology & Immunology (Glendale) received a $168,603 NIH grant for his project “Antigen and Adjuvant Selection for a Vaccine Against Urogenital Schistosomiasis, HematoShield” (a subaward from PAI Life Sciences, Inc.).

Gwendolyn Pais, Ph.D., Research Assistant Professor (Downers Grove), received a $231,480 NIH Career Development Award for the project “Cefepime Physiologically based Pharmacokinetic Models for Cross-Species Extrapolation” (a subaward from the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center).

This latest round of funding underscores Midwestern University’s commitment to advancing knowledge and addressing pressing health challenges through rigorous scientific inquiry.

“Midwestern University has outstanding faculty members, some of whom are doing very well with obtaining extramural research awards,” stated James Woods, Ph.D., assistant vice president of research. “From the start of fiscal year 2023 through the first three quarters of 2024, researchers on our Glendale campus have been awarded 27 grants totaling over $7.1 million. Over the same period, researchers on our Downers Grove Campus have been awarded 15 new grants which total nearly $8.1 million. I’m very proud to work with such talented and knowledgeable faculty and staff who contribute to novel discoveries that can impact the world as we know it.”

Dr. Molehin’s research primarily focuses on understanding how blood flukes, parasitic worms, establish infections in humans and evade the host immune system, as well as developing effective vaccines against these parasites.

Working with Midwestern student researchers, his lab employs various technologies, including systems vaccinology approaches, to identify molecules crucial for parasite survival and develop vaccines targeting these key molecules. This approach helps the research team understand vaccine-mediated protection by identifying immune signatures associated with protection.

“Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease affecting over 400 million people worldwide, with millions more at risk,” Molehin stated. “It can lead to severe health complications, including bladder cancer if left untreated. Current control measures are inadequate, highlighting the urgent need for an effective vaccine."

Midwestern University's local campus is at 19389 N. 59th Ave., Glendale.