01 ANNUAL REPORT - AgBioResearch - Michigan State University

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Concern about infectious animal disease outbreaks
and the threat of such outbreaks in Michigan have led
MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine to develop the
concept for a Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases on
campus. This center would monitor, prevent and control
emerging infectious diseases in the state and serve as a
model for national and international programs. Several
MSU departments and organizations, including the
MAES and state officials in the departments of
Agriculture, Natural Resources and Community Health,
are also involved.
The Michigan Life Sciences Corridor (MLSC), which
is primarily made up of four of Michigan’s research
institutions — MSU, Wayne State University, the
University of Michigan and the Van Andel Institute — has
a mission to enhance, through collaboration, research in
the life sciences and develop Michigan’s biotechnology
industries. The state will invest some $1 billion over 20
years to develop new technologies, and other public and
private sources are expected to invest billions more in this
effort over time. Fourteen grant proposals submitted by
MSU researchers received funding in December 2000,
including five by MAES faculty members Jack Priess and
Jon Kaguni, professors of biochemistry and molecular
biology; Jack Harkema, professor of veterinary pathology;
Gregg Howe, assistant professor in the MSU Department
of Energy Plant Research Laboratory; and John Linz,
professor of food science and human nutrition.
Sponsored in part by the MAES, the Families and
Communities Together (FACT) coalition links MSU’s
researchers and resources with community partners and
initiatives with the goal of supporting the health and wellbeing
of Michigan’s children, families and communities.
The coalition focused on two major issues this year: youth
development in communities and schools, and enhancing
civic engagement and community vitality. FACT-led
projects begun with grant funding have now expanded
into sustainable, long-lasting research for children,
families and communities. Other FACT programs,
including NEAT (Nutrition Education Aimed at Toddlers)
and Bridging the Gap: Grandparents Raising
Grandchildren, have also received additional outside
funding to continue their vital work.
The MAES welcomes Jeffrey Armstrong as the new
dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
(CANR), Marietta Baba as the new dean of the College of
Social Science and Margaret Bethel as director of MSU
Extension. The partnerships with the colleges of
Agriculture and Natural Resources, Natural Science,
Social Science, Human Ecology, and Veterinary Medicine;
along with MSU Extension, LouAnna Simon, MSU
provost; and Robert Huggett, vice president for Research
and Graduate Studies, are critical for the continuation of
joint research programs.
As programs materialize, the MAES strives to
maintain a balance between applied and basic research
and appreciates the input of stakeholders toward the
identification of research priorities and their funding of
selected projects. We also thank the faculty members,
graduate assistants and postdoctoral students from all the
departments and colleges that are part of the MAES for
their research efforts, and those who work with them —
the farm managers, technicians and staff members —
who provide the skills and work necessary to accomplish
research goals.
Problem solving with today’s tools will not be sufficient
to address tomorrow’s challenges. The solid foundation of
the MAES supports efforts to prepare for those challenges
now with strategic research that will ultimately improve the
quality of life for Michigan’s citizens.
J. Ian Gray, Director
Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station
INTRODUCTION BY DR. J. IAN GRAY