Hawaii to Receive $11 Million for Medical Research Projects

October 1, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. - Hawaii will receive more than $11 million to fund 31 medical research projects including HIV and cancer studies, Senators Daniel K. Inouye and Daniel K. Akaka announced today.

The $11,056,080 grant comes from the Department of Health and Human Services and is funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

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"Securing funding for research that could one day lead to the prevention and eradication of deadly diseases is a vital part of our work in Washington," said Senator Inouye. "There is great research being done by talented physicians and professors in Hawaii and I am glad that we're able to further their causes."

"Medical research has enormous potential to improve prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment programs and services for many diseases and conditions," said Senator Akaka. "I am proud that these resources will help strengthen research being conducted in Hawaii."

At the University of Hawaii at Manoa, Dr. Laurence N. Kolonel's study of the nutritional and genetic risks associated with colorectal cancer will receive $2,120,588.

University of Hawaii professor Dr. Loic Le Marchand's study of the origins of colorectal cancer in multi-ethnic populations and Japan is set to receive $1,802,665. Le Marchand's study seeks to identify lifestyle and biological factors common in colorectal cancer patients with multi-ethnic backgrounds.

The Cancer Research Center of Hawaii at the John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawaii at Manoa will receive $2,612,837 to further studies of all cancer types.

To view descriptions of all 31 Hawaii projects, visit http://report.nih.gov/recovery/arragrants.cfm and click on the Hawaii link.

Source: Senator Daniel K. Akaka