Facility for Rare Isotope Beams opens its doors to discovery
Michigan State University’s Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB), a user facility for the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science, opened its doors to discovery with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on 2 May. U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm and MSU President Samuel L. Stanley Jr., M.D., cut the ribbon to officially mark the start of FRIB’s scientific mission.
“Returning home to Michigan to unveil the FRIB—which began construction when I was Governor—is a testament to the hard work that it took to get to this point and the pivotal role this facility will play in making America the global leader in rare isotope nuclear science research,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “Along with boosting the nation’s innovative capacity and global competitiveness, this facility will help us discover new things about our universe and ourselves, find new ways to diagnose and treat cancer, and strengthen our national security.”
DO-PhD student’s cancer research shows promising results
Helping patients gain valuable time with loved ones is the major reason why sixth year D.O.-Ph.D. student at Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lyndsey Reich, wanted to become a researcher and a physician.
Reich’s father was involved in multiple clinical trials that extended his life by about 10 years, which allowed her to see the immediate impact research can have for patients. Remembering the important gift of time her father received while participating in trials during his illness prompted her to choose the path of medicine and research.
Timing light therapy for better sleep
Researchers found that personalized time for light therapy improved breast cancer survivors’ sleep. Many breast cancer survivors deal with lingering symptoms of fatigue and sleep disturbances long after their cancer has gone into remission.
“My patients were tired during the day, but they didn’t sleep well at night,” said Horng-Shiuann Wu, an associate professor in the College of Nursing. “I noticed that fatigue and sleep disturbance were closely related; they negatively affect cancer patients but we didn’t have a solution for them.”
McLaren’s New Health Care Campus Begins to Open
McLaren Health Care and Michigan State University held a ceremonial ribbon cutting to mark the opening of the $600 million health care campus adjacent to the university. The health care campus includes a 240-bed hospital, a multi-specialty outpatient care center and a Karmanos Cancer Institute in partnership with MSU Health Care.
“This new health care campus offers exciting facilities for MSU’s medical education, research and service to our regional community in collaboration with McLaren Health Care,” MSU President Samuel L. Stanley Jr., M.D., said. “Community partnerships are the basis of MSU’s medical education and health care delivery across Michigan. We look forward to continuing to work with McLaren as we pursue our vision for new models for sustainable health care.”