MSU leaders and donors joined with state leaders at the Omena, Michigan home of Michael (’57, Business) and Kathy (’58, Education) Bosco to discuss issues related to autism and to explore a possible research collaboration at MSU. MSU representatives included Ian Gray, former vice president for research; Marietta Baba, dean of the College of Social Science; Marsha Rappley, dean of the College of Human Medicine; and 21 faculty members. In total, more than 80 MSU faculty members university-wide have been identified who have research expertise that can be applied to autism research from pediatrics, neuroscience, genetics and psychology to biomechanics, interactive media, computer engineering, and music.
MSU is participating in an international research partnership focused on autism and other intellectual and neurodevelopmental disabilities. The Daughters of Charity Technology and Research for Intellectual Disability (DOCTRID) program harnesses the interdisciplinary knowledge assets of MSU, eight Irish universities, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and the University of Massachusetts Medical School.
More than three dozen MSU faculty are being integrated into a new research initiative addressing the entire age continuum and functional spectrum and will work with Irish counterparts through DOCTRID.
The Boscos gave a gift to MSU’s Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities to fund a position dedicated to assisting students on the autism spectrum with job interviewing skills and career placement.
For more information on making a gift to autism research efforts at MSU, contact Senior Development Officer Kathy Fore at (517) 884-1064, fore@msu.edu; the Development Officer in your college or unit; or call (517) 884-1000.