July 11, 2008

Richard Marchase. Download image.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - UAB Vice President for Research and Economic Development Richard Marchase, Ph.D., has been named the 93rd President of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB). Robert R. Rich, M.D., UAB's Senior Vice President for Medicine, served as FASEB President in 2001-2002.

FASEB is composed of 21 professional societies representing the various biomedical research specialties with more than 80,000 members, making it the largest coalition of biomedical research associations in the United States. It serves as the principal voice for research scientists on issues affecting the biomedical sciences, advocating for research funding and policies that promote scientific progress and education and lead to improvements in human health.

"I hope that during this critical election year the Federation is able to effectively communicate to the candidates and the nation the importance of biomedical research not only to advance science and medicine, but as an economic driver," Marchase said. "Too often funding for biomedical science is considered a luxury. If we are going to continue our pace of finding new treatments and cures for human ailments, additional financial resources must be made available."

Marchase is the principal investigator on several awards for research infrastructure from the National Institutes of Health, including $15.9 million for the construction of a biosafety facility. The NIH also supports his laboratory, which studies the effects of hyperglycemia on resuscitation and tissue viability.

Marchase received his bachelor's degree in engineering physics from Cornell University and was the recipient of the Hamilton Award as the outstanding graduate in science and engineering. He received his doctorate with distinction in biophysics from The Johns Hopkins University.  He completed his postdoctoral training and then was named an assistant professor at Duke University, where he was an initial recipient of the Presidential Young Investigator Award from the National Science Foundation. He came to UAB in 1986 and has served as Chair of the Department of Cell Biology and Senior Associate Dean for Research of the School of Medicine. He is a past-president of the Association of Anatomy, Cell Biology, and Neurobiology Chairpersons and served on the steering committee of the Group on Research Advancement and Development for the Association of American Medical Colleges.