ST. GEORGE, Utah — Utah Tech University has received its first National Institutes of Health research grant, worth more than $1 million, advancing biomedical research and creating more opportunities for student learning, workforce development, and scientific discovery in southern Utah.

The $1,010,605 award will support a research project led by Dr. Hung-Yu Shih, assistant professor of biology, focused on advancing the understanding of 4H leukodystrophy, a rare childhood neurological disorder for which no effective treatment currently exists.

“Receiving National Institutes of Health funding of this caliber affirms the quality of work being conducted by Utah Tech University faculty and demonstrates that our students participate in nationally competitive research while receiving the hands-on, career-focused education that defines our regional polytechnic mission,” Utah Tech University President Shane B. Smeed said. “Widely regarded as one of the nation’s most competitive forms of biomedical research support, earning this grant proves our university community is a national leader in talent, dedication, and collaboration.”

The research gives Utah Tech students the opportunity to work directly with faculty mentors and gain hands-on experience in genome editing, molecular biology, and other professional research practices, while preparing them for future careers and further education in Utah’s growing life sciences industry. At the same time, these students contribute to the search for answers and potential treatments for patients and families affected by 4h leukodystrophy.

“The NIH grant award is a major accomplishment for Utah Tech, Dr. Shih, and the Utah System of Higher Education,” said Utah Commissioner of Higher Education, Geoff Landward. “It’s an example of the innovation coming from our regional institutions, giving Utah Tech students the chance to build research experience while supporting the Southern Utah community and Utah’s future workforce.”

Talent Ready Utah, a division of the Utah System of Higher Education, and the Deep Tech Talent Initiative helped build the talent pipeline and academic foundation needed for this research.

“Utah’s investment in the Deep Tech Talent Initiative made this success possible,” said Vic Hockett, Associate Commissioner of Talent Ready Utah. “With the Legislature’s support, Talent Ready Utah worked alongside Utah Tech and industry partners to give students more opportunities to build skills in high-demand fields.”

Donor support also helped lay the foundation for this award. Support from the Atwood family helped establish critical research infrastructure and expand student opportunities, while the Adelmarie Murphy Fellowship in Functional Genomics & Bioinformatics and the Paula and Rich Jardine Fellowship in Functional Genomics & Bioinformatics provided financial support that enabled students to participate in functional genomics research and gain hands-on experience in this emerging field.

Learn more about Utah Tech University’s research on 4H leukodystrophy.

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