Utah Tech University has received its first National Institutes of Health research grant, totaling $1,010,605. The award is intended to advance biomedical research and create opportunities for student learning, workforce development, and scientific discovery in southern Utah.
The research project is led by Dr. Hung-Yu Shih, an assistant professor of biology. The work focuses on advancing the understanding of 4H leukodystrophy, a rare childhood neurological disorder that currently has no effective treatment.
Utah Tech University President Shane B. Smeed stated that receiving NIH funding of this caliber affirms the quality of work performed by the university faculty. Smeed noted that the grant demonstrates students participate in nationally competitive research while receiving career-focused education aligned with the regional polytechnic mission.
The grant provides students the opportunity to work with faculty mentors to gain experience in genome editing, molecular biology, and other professional research practices. These experiences are intended to prepare students for future careers and further education within Utah’s growing life sciences industry.
Utah Commissioner of Higher Education Geoff Landward described the NIH grant award as a major accomplishment for Utah Tech, Dr. Shih, and the Utah System of Higher Education. Landward said the award serves as an example of innovation from regional institutions that helps students build research experience while supporting the Southern Utah community and the future workforce.
The success of this research initiative was supported by Talent Ready Utah, a division of the Utah System of Higher Education, and the Deep Tech Talent Initiative. Vic Hockett, Associate Commissioner of Talent Ready Utah, said the Legislature's support and investment in the Deep Tech Talent Initiative helped build the academic foundation and talent pipeline necessary for this research.
Additional support from the Atwood family helped establish research infrastructure and expand student opportunities. Furthermore, 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.
The grant was announced on October 8, 2026, following the research project's establishment.
