RCTF Enhanced Programs
Twelve program areas were identified by UK to receive Research Challenge Trust Fund Phase I support beginning in the 1998-99 academic year. These program areas were developed from the report of the UK Task Force on Research and Graduate Education.
- Gerontology and Aging
Goal: Become the nation's leading center for the integration of gerontological studies and multidisciplinary research on aging. The program will feature research and graduate education in biomedical and social science approaches to aging and will strengthen associated programs in clinical geriatrics.
- Advanced Medical Research
Goal: Develop integrated programs in neuroscience, and genetics and molecular biology. These concentrations will build on four nationally prominent graduate programs in the College of Medicine: anatomy and neurobiology, biochemistry, microbiology and immunology, and physiology.
- Clinical Pharmaceutical Sciences
Goal: Prepare new health-care professionals to become leading scholars in the evaluation of contemporary drug therapies. This program will establish a training center that will be part of the Center for Pharmaceutical Science and Technology.
- Toxicology
Goal: Enhance the Graduate Center for Toxicology's expertise in chemical carcinogenesis and neurotoxicology.
- Computer Science and Electrical Engineering
Goal: Concentrate on specializations in distributed computing and networking systems, and electromagnetics and microelectronics.
- Materials Synthesis
Goal: Develop the expertise in materials sciences necessary to sustain an interdisciplinary program between the Department of Physics and Astronomy and Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering. Research in materials sciences focuses on the synthesis, microstructure characterization, property prediction and measurement, and processing of novel materials.
- Plant Sciences
Goal: Integrate strengths in several graduate concentrations, including crop science, plant pathology, plant physiology/molecular biology, plant science, soil science, horticulture and landscape architecture, and forestry.
- Biological Chemistry
Goal: Build a prominent specialization with expertise in bio-organic, bio-inorganic and biotechnology applications.
- Management and Economics
Goal: Strengthen faculty expertise in the Gatton College of Business and Economics. The program will enhance business administration and economics degree programs, and add research strengths in macroeconomics and financial institutions.
- Psychology of Substance Abuse and Prevention
Goal: Enhance the research expertise of the psychology department in the development and application of effective prevention strategies.
- Geography
Goal: Add faculty strengths in social theory and human geography, economic development, and environmental geography.
- Graduate Support