UC San Diego has pulled in $1.35 billion this year in research funding. This is a new record with $150 million more than last year’s $1.2 billion. In 2010, UCSD made $1 billion, and since this achievement has received more in research funding each year.
Even though there is no detailed analysis yet, it is firmly expected that the school’s work in medicine and health will dominate the funding list, as well as engineering and oceanography.
A good amount of this money will be able to go towards research in digestive diseases and microbiomes, says Dr. David Brenner, the Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences.
Researcher Rob Knight was brought in by the school to research microbiomes, which have to do with the genetics behind the micro-organisms living on and in the body.
As well as the research in microbiomes, UCSD has received a large amount of backing by Biohaven Pharmaceuticals to allow the school to perform a clinical test on the new Alzheimer’s drug, toriluzome.
The new record of funding will make the campus one of the three or four largest research schools in the United States.
Furthermore, the campus is in the middle of a long-term expansion to eventually make UCSD the largest residential school in the nation. This expansion will also expand the research capacity in engineering, medicine, public health, design, and innovation.
If confirmed in the final census, UCSD will also be entering the new fall quarter with a new record of 39,000 students.
Photo by Michael Huling
