Commerce Dept. has $2M in biomedical research funding

The Montana Department of Commerce has $2 million in grant funding available for Montana-based, private, nonprofit research institutions involved in bio-medical research that has the potential to significantly and positively impact the State of Montana.

The department is requesting proposals from institutions involved in research that could:

n improve the health of Montana citizens and/or livestock;

n create educational opportunities for Montanans in research activities;

n or provide economic benefit to the state through expanded research infrastructure and increased employment.

“Montana has unlimited research opportunities,” said Governor Brian Schweitzer. “We have groundbreaking research taking place every day across Montana. This funding will foster continued development in our growing technology sector and allow Montana to remain competitive in the world of bio-research.”

The 2007 Legislature appropriated the $2 million in funding for the Montana Department of Commerce to contract with a qualified, private, nonprofit research institute conducting bio-medical research. Applicants are required to provide matching funds of at least $2 million to receive the grant. Matching funding may include grants, loans and/or investments for proposal related costs and activities. Applications are due by Sept. 14.

For more information contact Andy Poole, Deputy Director, Montana Department of Commerce, (406) 841-2707, or by e-mail at apoole@mt.gov

Training set for hopeful foster/adoptive parents

The Youth Homes’ Dan Fox Foster Care and Adoption Program has set fall dates for training in Helena for anyone who is considering being a foster or adoptive parent.

Anyone interested in caring for a child as a respite provider, foster parent or adoptive parent should attend. Training is designed to help you decide the right choice for you and your family.

All training will be held at 616 Helena Ave, Suite 104.

Contact Rebecca Hargis • 443-4730 for more information.

Session 1: Tuesday, Sept. 11, 6-9 p.m., Orientation & Pre-Placement

Session 2: Thursday, Sept. 13, 6n9 p.m., Panel Discussion — Placement Issues

Session 3: Tuesday, Sept. 18, 6n9 p.m., Introduction to Relationships and Child Development

Session 4: Tuesday, Sept. 20, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Child Safety

Session 5:, Tuesday, Sept. 25, 6n9 p.m., Family Systems and Attachment

Session 6: Tuesday, Oct. 2, 6n 9 p.m., Discipline

Session 7: Saturday, Oct. 6, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Multicultural Awareness

Session 8: Tuesday, Oct. 9, 6n9 p.m., Support Services/ Transitions.

MSU clinical laboratory

program begins in 08

A new clinical laboratory scientist training program supported by hospitals and the Montana Legislature begins taking students in 2008.

The program will be housed at Montana State University in conjunction with the Division of Health Sciences and the Department of Microbiology.

Nationally, hospital laboratories need more than three times as many employees as are being trained in the field, said Barbara Hudson, an MSU instructor in microbiology and director of the program. In Montana, the lack of trained laboratory personnel is significant in both large and small communities.

At the end of the fourth year, students graduate with a bachelor’s degree and are ready to take the professional licensing exam.

Hospitals contributing to the program included Anaconda Community Hospital, Bozeman Deaconess Hospital, MSU Student Health Service in Bozeman, Billings Deaconess Clinic, St. Vincent Healthcare in Billings, St. James Healthcare in Butte, Barrett Hospital and Healthcare in Dillon, Benefis Healthcare in Great Falls, St. Peter’s Hospital in Helena, Kalispell Regional Medical Center, St. John’s Lutheran Hospital in Libby, Holy Rosary Healthcare in Miles City, St. Patrick Hospital in Missoula, Clark Fork Valley Hospital in Plains, and North Valley Hospital in Whitefish.

Energy-use forum

in Bozeman this week

The public will have a chance to hear about the cutting edge of science and policy surrounding the region’s energy use at a free forum Wednesday and Thursday at the Gallatin Gateway Inn.

Hosted by the Big Sky Carbon Sequestration Partnership at Montana State University the forum features a mix of speakers with backgrounds in industry, research, government and the environment.

“The public will get a good overview of the energy issues in our region, particularly with coal,” said Lee Spangler, director of the Big Sky Carbon Sequestration Partnership.

The partnership is one of seven U.S. Department of Energy programs nationally investigating ways to deal with carbon dioxide, the principal greenhouse gas blamed for global warming.

Forum panels will address regional energy trends, an overview of current and future energy technologies, climate change polices at a local to global scale and research into carbon sequestration.

Carbon sequestration is any process that removes — or diverts — carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and locks it up in some way. The forum will highlight the partnership's research into two of the most promising avenues for locking up carbon: geologic and terrestrial sequestration.

Registration is required. To register or for a complete forum agenda, visit www.bigskyco2.org.