SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE MORE THAN $1.1 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS FOR UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO TO ADVANCE GROUNDBREAKING STUDY OF MOSQUITO AND FRUIT FLY GENETICS

Federal Investment Will Fund Critical Project Focused On The Development Of The Nervous Systems Of Mosquitos And Fruit Flies

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced $1,106,466 in federal funding for the University at Buffalo. The funding was allocated through the National Science Foundation (NSF) and will be used to further the university’s groundbreaking research on animal genetics. Specifically, the genetic research will concentrate on the development of the nervous systems of mosquitos and fruit flies with the potential to result in a greater understanding of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which can carry vector-borne illnesses such as Zika, dengue fever and yellow fever. Additionally, the funding will be used by the University at Buffalo to develop a research program for local high school students focused on genetics and help train scientists from high school through graduate school.

“This federal investment will allow the University at Buffalo, a national leader in research and hub for innovation, to advance its cutting-edge study on the nervous systems and genetics of mosquitos and fruit flies, helping us to gain a better understanding of the science behind the potential carriers of devastating illnesses like Zika and dengue fever,” said Senator Schumer. “I’m proud to announce this crucial federal funding and will continue to fight to deliver federal resources that invest in our world-class New York educational institutions and communities.”

“This new federal funding for the University of Buffalo is great news, and it will help advance our understanding of genetics and how diseases like Zika, dengue fever, and yellow fever are transmitted,” said Senator Gillibrand. “In addition, the University will use this funding to create a high school program based on this research, helping our students to form a foundational knowledge of science. I will always fight in the Senate to ensure that New York’s universities have the resources they need.”

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering. NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities and other institutions. Each year, NSF receives more than 48,000 competitive proposals for funding and makes about 12,000 new funding awards. NSF also awards about $626 million in professional and service contracts yearly.

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