Dr. James A. Shayman, developer of a new class of drugs for treating a group of rare but devastating congenital disorders, has been selected to receive the U-M's Distinguished University Innovator Award for 2016.

Dr Shayman is the Agnes C. and Frank D. McKay Professor of Internal Medicine and professor of pharmacology at the Medical School. He is being honored for his innovative work that has led to a simpler and more effective approach to treating lysosomal storage diseases, a group of 50 related genetic disorders. In these diseases, cells and body tissues are damaged by fatty substances that build up to toxic levels in lysosomes, structures within cells that process cellular waste.

Established in 2007 by the U-M Office of Research, the Distinguished University Innovator Award honors faculty who have made important and lasting contributions to society by developing novel ideas and insights through their research, and then translating them into practice.  

This year's public award ceremony will take place at 4:00pm on Monday May 9, in Forum Hall at Palmer Commons. After receiving the award, Dr. Shayman will deliver a lecture titles "Why I Study Rare Diseases," which will be followed by a reception.

Learn more about Dr. Shayman's innovative research here.  

Ford Motor Company, as part of its research alliance with U-M, has an open call for proposals. Ford is open to any idea that could be beneficial to both Ford and U-M, including in-vehicle health and wellness and the user experience.

The research alliance includes overhead-bearing (indirect cost) research projects for up to two years and up to $100,000 per year from Ford. Projects are co-developed with a Ford Principal Investigator (PI), provide pre-negotiated intellectual property rights, and have a 25-40 percent win rate.

First draft proposals are due by Wednesday, June 8, with final proposals due Monday, August 15. Tentative approval will be communicated by December, with payment disbursed in the first quarter 2017.

To identify a Ford PI in your area of research, please contact Susan Shields in the U-M Business Engagement Center at (734) 615-3533 or sshield@umich.edu. 

The Fast Forward Medical Innovation team at the University of Michigan Medical School works to accelerate innovation and commercialization of research at its inception, collaborate with commercial partners via novel models, and enhance medical education by fostering innovation and entrepreneurship at all levels. We help UMMS faculty and strategic partners collaborate, with the ultimate goal of accelerating research and technology to improve human health. To connect, email us or call 734-615-5060.