Education (Colleges & Universities)
Here's a look at documents from public, private and community colleges in the U.S.
Featured Stories
UMW Board of Visitors Sets Tuition and Fees for 2026-27
FREDERICKSBURG, Virginia, April 18 -- The University of Mary Washington issued the following news:
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UMW Board of Visitors Sets Tuition and Fees for 2026-27
By Amy Jessee
At its quarterly meeting on April 17, 2026, the University of Mary Washington Board of Visitors set tuition and fees for the 2026-27 academic year. The Board voted unanimously to authorize a 2.6% tuition increase for undergraduate and graduate students and a mandatory comprehensive fee increase of 4% for the 2026-27 academic year. Housing rates will increase by 2.5% while the dining rate will remain unchanged.
In total,
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FREDERICKSBURG, Virginia, April 18 -- The University of Mary Washington issued the following news:
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UMW Board of Visitors Sets Tuition and Fees for 2026-27
By Amy Jessee
At its quarterly meeting on April 17, 2026, the University of Mary Washington Board of Visitors set tuition and fees for the 2026-27 academic year. The Board voted unanimously to authorize a 2.6% tuition increase for undergraduate and graduate students and a mandatory comprehensive fee increase of 4% for the 2026-27 academic year. Housing rates will increase by 2.5% while the dining rate will remain unchanged.
In total,these increases stay around 3% or less for undergraduate residential students with a meal plan, and for commuter students who live off campus without a meal plan. Of the 15 public universities in Virginia, UMW's total costs (tuition, housing, and mandatory fees) for in-state and out-of-state students continue to be among the most affordable, ranking fifth to eighth in lowest cost in 2025-26, while funding a liberal arts and sciences educational program that ranks among the top 10 in the nation by U.S. News.
With small classes, undergraduate research projects working side-by-side with faculty, study abroad and internships, UMW's education extends well beyond the classroom into career-based opportunities. It is an education led by faculty - not teaching assistants - with staff support and personalized to student success.
The tuition and fee increase supports state-mandated compensation actions for faculty and staff; assuming a 2% salary increase and 13% health insurance increase, as well as minimum wage increase, while accounting for inflation impacting the price of goods, materials and services; and state administrative system charge increases.
With the Virginia state budget still pending, UMW has moved forward to set tuition and fees on the spring schedule to provide timely information for students and families planning their academic year.
In-state undergraduate students living on campus will see an overall annual increase of $686, while out-of-state undergraduate students living on campus will see an overall increase of $1,038.
When adding tuition and mandatory fees with food and housing costs, the total cost in 2026-27 for a Virginia undergraduate student living on campus will be $30,281, while the total cost of an out-of-state undergraduate living on campus will be $44,139.
Virginia students who choose Mary Washington may also benefit from the Tuition Promise, which covers full tuition for Pell-eligible in-state students and families who qualify. In addition, UMW automatically considers students for all eligible awards, including merit scholarships. UMW's Washington Scholars Program and Alvey Scholars Program provide full tuition, fees, and dining and housing for in-state students and out-of-state students respectively, and new this year, UMW has awarded more than a dozen Irene Piscopo Rodgers Science Fellowships,[MOU1] recognizing undergraduate excellence in STEM fields, with funding toward scholarship and research at the undergraduate level.
Undergraduate tuition and fees and graduate tuition and fees are available on the UMW Student Accounts website (https://adminfinance.umw.edu/studentaccounts/). UMW's Scholarship Application is open through May 15 for most awards, and applications for admission are available.
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Original text here: https://www.umw.edu/news/2026/04/17/umw-board-of-visitors-sets-tuition-and-fees-for-2026-27/
Misericordia University Announces Spring 2026 Commencement Speakers
DALLAS, Pennsylvania, April 18 -- Misericordia University issued the following news:
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Misericordia University Announces Spring 2026 Commencement Speakers
Distinguished leaders in service, education and human rights to address graduate and undergraduate ceremonies
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Misericordia University will celebrate its Spring 2026 Commencement on Saturday, May 9, with two ceremonies honoring graduate and undergraduate students and featuring distinguished speakers whose lives exemplify service, leadership and a commitment to making a difference.
The graduate commencement ceremony will be held at
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DALLAS, Pennsylvania, April 18 -- Misericordia University issued the following news:
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Misericordia University Announces Spring 2026 Commencement Speakers
Distinguished leaders in service, education and human rights to address graduate and undergraduate ceremonies
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Misericordia University will celebrate its Spring 2026 Commencement on Saturday, May 9, with two ceremonies honoring graduate and undergraduate students and featuring distinguished speakers whose lives exemplify service, leadership and a commitment to making a difference.
The graduate commencement ceremony will be held at10:00 a.m., followed by the undergraduate ceremony at 2:00 p.m. Both ceremonies will take place in the Anderson Sports-Health Center on campus in Dallas, Pennsylvania.
The graduate ceremony will feature keynote addresses by Rabbi Larry Kaplan and Gerri Kaplan, who will also receive honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees.
Rabbi Kaplan has served since 1998 as the spiritual leader of Temple Israel in Wilkes-Barre and as a chaplain at the VA Medical Center. He has also shared his knowledge as an educator at Misericordia University and King's College.
Gerri Kaplan, an educator and community leader, has dedicated her career to supporting children and families through education and outreach programs. Together, the Kaplans have made a profound impact through their commitment to foster care, opening their home to more than 125 children and creating a large, diverse and loving family.
Their shared life of faith, compassion and service reflects Misericordia University's mission of mercy, justice and hospitality and offers an inspiring example for graduate students preparing to serve their communities.
The undergraduate ceremony will feature keynote speaker Kevin Hyland, OBE, who will also receive an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.
Hyland is an internationally recognized leader in the fight against human trafficking and modern slavery, with more than 30 years of public service. He led London's Human Trafficking Unit and later served as the United Kingdom's first independent anti-slavery commissioner, advancing national and global strategies to combat exploitation and protect vulnerable populations.
A co-founder of the Santa Marta Group, Hyland has worked extensively with governments, law enforcement and international organizations, including the United Nations, to address modern slavery and support initiatives aimed at eradicating human trafficking and forced labor worldwide.
His dedication to justice, collaboration and human dignity provides a powerful message for undergraduate students as they prepare to enter an increasingly complex and interconnected world.
Misericordia University's Spring 2026 Commencement ceremonies will celebrate the achievements of its graduates while highlighting the impact of individuals whose work reflects the university's core values of mercy, service, justice and hospitality.
The Spring Commencement Ceremonies will be broadcasted on Misericordia University's YouTube Channel to watch live. The broadcast of the ceremony will be recorded and made available on our YouTube channel for those that are unable to watch it live. To learn more, click here (https://www.misericordia.edu/spring26commencement).
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Original text here: https://www.misericordia.edu/news/news-post-page/~board/news/post/misericordia-university-announces-spring-2026-commencement-speakers
Michigan Alum Establishes Endowed Curator of Asian Art at U-M Museum of Art
ANN ARBOR, Michigan, April 18 -- The University of Michigan issued the following news:
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Michigan alum establishes endowed curator of Asian art at U-M Museum of Art
Major investment strengthens UMMA's leadership in Chinese ceramics, Asian art scholarship
Written By: Christopher Ankney, UMMA
Building on a long legacy of giving to the University of Michigan Museum of Art, longtime university supporter and alumnus William C. Weese has endowed only the second curatorial position in the museum's history with a gift of $2 million.
The William C. Weese M.D. Curator of Asian Art represents a
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ANN ARBOR, Michigan, April 18 -- The University of Michigan issued the following news:
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Michigan alum establishes endowed curator of Asian art at U-M Museum of Art
Major investment strengthens UMMA's leadership in Chinese ceramics, Asian art scholarship
Written By: Christopher Ankney, UMMA
Building on a long legacy of giving to the University of Michigan Museum of Art, longtime university supporter and alumnus William C. Weese has endowed only the second curatorial position in the museum's history with a gift of $2 million.
The William C. Weese M.D. Curator of Asian Art represents amajor advance in the museum's long-term intellectual and cultural impact. The endowment secures the museum's leadership in Asian art, and advances the university's position as a premier destination for the study and public presentation of Chinese ceramics.
"Establishing dedicated support for Asian art is my way of helping ensure that the museum's commitment remains strong--in perpetuity--for students, scholars and visitors for generations to come," Weese said. "During the 40 years that it has taken to accrue the collection, I have been the temporary caretaker. I am especially excited that it will now have a permanent home at UMMA."
Weese's support and gifts of art to UMMA now total more than $10 million. Endowing a curatorial position is one of the most powerful ways to shape what a museum can do--both now and in the future, said Christina Olsen, UMMA director.
"Dr. Weese's extraordinary generosity ensures that Asian art, and Chinese ceramics in particular, will remain a vital and visible part of UMMA's identity," she said. "It allows us to deepen scholarship, expand our collection and bring these works into meaningful dialogue with students, faculty and the public for generations to come."
A defining commitment to Asian art
Weese is a 1965 alumnus of U-M's College of Literature, Science and the Arts. His latest gift builds on a series of contributions that have established UMMA as a center for the collection and study of Asian art. His 2020 promised gift of more than 1,000 works of Chinese ceramics--spanning from 1500 BCE through the Qing dynasty (1644-1912)--introduced one of the most significant collections of its kind to a university museum.
In 2021, he also established the Weese Program for Ceramic Arts, focused on developing, promoting and implementing the study of Chinese ceramics. With his late wife, Lynn, he established the William C. Weese M.D. and Lynn Wetherbee Weese Internship in Asian Art Fund in 2017, supporting student internship opportunities at UMMA and encouraging students to explore museum careers while studying Asian art.
"As an undergraduate at U-M, I discovered how a great public university can open the world to its students--through ideas, through people and through encounters with art that stay with you for a lifetime," Weese said. "My love of Chinese ceramics has only deepened over the years; I'm continually moved by their beauty, technical brilliance and the culture and history they carry. It's important to me that UMMA not only cares for these works but uses them to spark study, teaching and wonder."
Building a lasting legacy
UMMA's collection spans centuries, geographies and media, with Asian art playing a vital role in telling global histories through objects made for daily life, devotion, power, exchange and aesthetic innovation. The newly endowed curatorship ensures this work continues to grow--supporting acquisitions, scholarship and interpretation that connect Asian art to contemporary questions and diverse audiences.
In addition to the endowed position, Weese also has committed his collection of Chinese ceramics to UMMA as a planned gift. UMMA intends to present the collection through regular gallery rotations and special exhibitions and anticipates that the works will be utilized in teaching, learning and research. UMMA will continue to expand access to the collection through exhibitions, coursework and partnerships, as well as through its online collections platform myUMMA, where objects are presented with curatorial insight and interpretive context.
Look to Michigan
Weese's endowment aligns with and advances U-M's Look to Michigan campaign by investing in enduring resources that expand scholarship, strengthen student experiences and increase public impact. By establishing a named curatorial position, Weese's commitment elevates UMMA's ability to steward and interpret Asian art for the campus and wider community.
"I'm deeply gratified that Dr. Weese has chosen to name this curatorial position in support of Asian art at UMMA," Olsen said. "His sustained and generous giving has been truly pivotal helping us bring these works into meaningful dialogue with students, faculty and our broader community. This investment supports ambitious exhibitions and scholarship today, and it builds the foundation for Asian art at UMMA for generations to come."
The curatorial position is currently held by Natsu Oyobe, whose work has helped define UMMA's growing reputation in Asian art. Recent exhibitions such as "Clay as Soft Power: Shigaraki Ware in Postwar America and Japan," which traced the role of Shigaraki ware ceramics in strengthening Japan's cultural relevance in the United States, and "Copies and Invention In East Asia," an exploration of imitation and innovation across centuries, exemplify her approach connecting historical objects to global histories, cross-cultural exchange and contemporary discourse.
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Original text here: https://news.umich.edu/michigan-alum-establishes-endowed-curator-of-asian-art-at-u-m-museum-of-art/
Johns Hopkins: From Evidence to Coordinated Action - Advancing a Global Road Safety Research Agenda
BALTIMORE, Maryland, April 18 -- Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health issued the following news release:
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From Evidence to Coordinated Action: Advancing a Global Road Safety Research Agenda
On March 12 and 13, the Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit (JH-IIRU) and Road Traffic Injuries Research Network (RTIRN), in collaboration with the Johns Hopkins Institute for Planetary Health and the World Health Organization (WHO), hosted a consultation on "Accelerating Progress Towards Road Safety: Developing a Research Agenda for Sustainable and Safe Mobility."
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BALTIMORE, Maryland, April 18 -- Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health issued the following news release:
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From Evidence to Coordinated Action: Advancing a Global Road Safety Research Agenda
On March 12 and 13, the Johns Hopkins International Injury Research Unit (JH-IIRU) and Road Traffic Injuries Research Network (RTIRN), in collaboration with the Johns Hopkins Institute for Planetary Health and the World Health Organization (WHO), hosted a consultation on "Accelerating Progress Towards Road Safety: Developing a Research Agenda for Sustainable and Safe Mobility."Held at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center, the meeting convened experts in road safety, public health, and planetary health to assess critical research gaps and identify opportunities for action across sectors.
Road traffic injuries remain one of the most persistent and preventable global health challenges, particularly in low and middle income countries, where 93% of road traffic deaths occur. Each year, road traffic crashes result in an estimated 1.2 million deaths and 20 to 50 million non-fatal injuries. Additionally, transport systems drive air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and urban inequities, placing mobility at the intersection of public health and planetary health.
Despite major global commitments, such as the Decade of Action for Road Safety and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), progress has been uneven. While the field has made substantial advances in generating knowledge and evidence, efforts remain fragmented and siloed across sectors, limiting their overall impact.
This moment calls for taking stock of both achievements and persistent gaps. Although there is broad recognition of the need for more coordinated action, a shared approach that integrates road safety with, for example, planetary health, sustainable mobility, and equity is still lacking. Developing a unified research agenda that prioritizes key areas and bridges these domains will be critical to accelerating progress and translating knowledge into meaningful, sustained impact.
Bringing Sectors Together for Integrated Action
With support from the Johns Hopkins University Nexus Awards initiative and Bloomberg Philanthropies, JH-IIRU, RTIRN, and dedicated partners are working to fill this gap. Last month's convening brought together experts to critically examine findings from a scoping review of global road safety research published over the past decade and from a Delphi survey of key stakeholders. The findings highlighted critical evidence gaps and underscored the need for coordinated action, with 81% of respondents pointing to a disconnect between safety, health, and planetary health, a dynamic perpetuated by institutional silos, political priorities, and fragmented evidence.
Organized around focused panels and plenary discussion, the meeting's sessions explored opportunities for integrated action between mobility, individual health, and planetary health; discussed the evidence needed to inform policy, governance, and financing to scale road safety, health, and climate initiatives; and addressed how to translate evidence into action for sustainable, real-world progress.
Drawing on evidence emerging from this process, this collaborative effort aims to align research, funding priorities, and policy efforts to deliver impactful change.
Why This Research Agenda Matters
This initiative advances safer and more sustainable mobility by clarifying research priorities and setting a clear future direction. It positions implementation research as the critical bridge between knowledge and real-world impact, guiding the generation of relevant evidence that informs decision making while enhancing intervention design and implementation. By addressing geographic inequities in the global road safety evidence base, this coordinated research agenda will help direct attention and resources to settings with the highest injury burden. Importantly, this work will also strengthen efforts by embedding cross sector governance and accountability to support lasting change.
JH-IIRU and RTIRN will continue to engage key partners in reviewing evidence, validating findings, and co-developing prioritized research questions. While important work remains, one thing is certain: the field will have a consensus driven research agenda to guide investment and enable coordinated, cross-sectoral action. Ultimately, this agenda will promote the uptake of proven interventions to prevent road traffic injuries while advancing broader planetary health and equity goals--contributing to cleaner air, greater climate resilience, and healthier, inclusive transport systems.
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Original text here: https://publichealth.jhu.edu/international-injury-research-unit/2026/from-evidence-to-coordinated-action-advancing-a-global-road-safety-research-agenda
Grand Valley State University: Board Approves Computing Ph.D. Program
ALLENDALE, Michigan, April 18 -- Grand Valley State University issued the following news:
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Board approves computing Ph.D. program
Research focused doctoral program is first of its kind at Grand Valley
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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Grand Valley State University will launch a research doctoral program in computing in the fall, marking a milestone as the first Ph.D. program in the university's history.
The program responds to a rapidly growing need for advanced computing talent capable of conducting both foundational and applied research that drives innovation across industry, science and society.
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ALLENDALE, Michigan, April 18 -- Grand Valley State University issued the following news:
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Board approves computing Ph.D. program
Research focused doctoral program is first of its kind at Grand Valley
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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Grand Valley State University will launch a research doctoral program in computing in the fall, marking a milestone as the first Ph.D. program in the university's history.
The program responds to a rapidly growing need for advanced computing talent capable of conducting both foundational and applied research that drives innovation across industry, science and society.
The Ph.D. in Computing program was approved Friday, April 10 by GVSU's Board of Trustees.
Provost Jennifer Drake said the advanced degree program will feature rigorous coursework, a qualifying exam, dissertation proposal and defense, and a required research publication.
"The program's defining feature will be its strong integration with Michigan industry and community partners, which will enable students to work on real-world problems and gain in-depth experience to prepare them for the challenges of the future," Drake said.
The program builds on the College of Computing's expanding research momentum, including growth in faculty scholarship, significant external funding increase, and strategic initiatives in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science and human-centered computing. It also reflects Grand Valley's broader commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, where computing serves as a shared infrastructure for innovation across fields including health, life sciences, business and beyond.
The Ph.D. in Computing aligns directly with the College of Computing's strategic priorities and the university's Academic Affairs framework by:
* Advancing research excellence, strengthening faculty scholarship, increasing external funding and expanding GVSU's research footprint.
* Supporting regional impact: Contributing to West Michigan's transformation into a technology and innovation hub through partnerships with industry, health care and public-sector organizations.
* Enhancing interdisciplinary collaboration: Enabling initiatives that connect computing with life sciences, business, health, engineering and other disciplines.
* Strengthening the teacher-scholar model: Integrating doctoral students into research and teaching, enriching undergraduate and master's education.
* Developing workforce and innovation pipelines: Preparing highly skilled graduates to meet regional and national workforce needs in advanced computing fields.
"We really see this program as a natural next step in the evolution of the College of Computing which will help us reinforce its role as a central driver of the regional strategy to nurture a Tech Hub in West Michigan," Dean Marouane Kessentini said. "As the university's first Ph.D. program, it positions us to contribute not only to workforce development, but to the creation of new knowledge and breakthrough innovations in computing. We are building a model where computing serves as a foundation for discovery across disciplines and for impact across society."
Randy Thelen, President and CEO of The Right Place, emphasized the program's importance to the region's innovation ecosystem.
"Doctoral-level talent and sustained research capacity are essential to long-term economic growth," Thelen said. "This program will accelerate innovation, support industry-driven R&D, and strengthen West Michigan's ability to compete for high-impact opportunities and investment."
The first cohort for the new Ph.D. in Computing is expected to enroll this fall. More information about applying for the program will be made available at the College of Computing's website (https://www.gvsu.edu/computing) later this spring.
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Original text here: https://www.gvsu.edu/gvnext/2026/board-of-trustees.htm
FAMU CoPPS, IPH and PAN Foundation to Expand Public Health Practicum Opportunities
TALLAHASSEE, Florida, April 18 -- Florida A&M University, a component of the public university system in Florida, issued the following news:
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FAMU CoPPS, IPH and PAN Foundation to Expand Public Health Practicum Opportunities
A new partnership between Florida A&M University (FAMU) College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health (CoPPS, IPH) and the Patient Access Network (PAN) Foundation is opening the door for Master of Public Health (MPH) learners to step beyond the classroom and into meaningful public health work that impacts patients across the country.
"This
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TALLAHASSEE, Florida, April 18 -- Florida A&M University, a component of the public university system in Florida, issued the following news:
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FAMU CoPPS, IPH and PAN Foundation to Expand Public Health Practicum Opportunities
A new partnership between Florida A&M University (FAMU) College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health (CoPPS, IPH) and the Patient Access Network (PAN) Foundation is opening the door for Master of Public Health (MPH) learners to step beyond the classroom and into meaningful public health work that impacts patients across the country.
"Thispartnership with the PAN Foundation creates meaningful experiential learning opportunities for our learners to better understand the real-world challenges patients face when navigating healthcare access and medication affordability," said Darice E. Richard-Mitchell, Pharm.D, director of experiential education programs at FAMU's CoPPS, IPH. "Experiences like this allow students to connect public health principles with practical solutions that help improve access to care and support patients in meaningful ways."
The PAN Foundation is a national nonprofit organization committed to helping people access the treatment they need. Through financial assistance programs, advocacy efforts, and patient education initiatives, the organization works to remove barriers that prevent individuals from receiving essential care. Since 2004, the Foundation has helped more than 1.3 million patients afford life-changing treatments and navigate the complexities of the healthcare system. About us - PAN Foundation
Now, through this new collaboration, FAMU CoPPS, IPH MPH learners will have the opportunity to contribute directly to those efforts.
Students will participate in experiential practicum projects focused on patient education, health literacy, and the development of culturally responsive resources designed to help communities better understand and navigate healthcare. The partnership allows learners to transform the knowledge they gain in the classroom into real-world solutions that support patients and promote health equity.
Beyond gaining practical experience, students will also gain insight into how national nonprofit organizations advocate for patients, influence healthcare policy, and work to ensure that cost is not a barrier to care.
For MPH learners, the experience represents more than just a practicum requirement. It is an opportunity to develop leadership skills, contribute to national health initiatives, and participate in work that helps individuals and families receive the care they need.
Through partnerships like this, FAMU continues to prepare students not only to understand public health challenges but to actively lead solutions that improve lives and strengthen communities.
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Original text here: https://news.famu.edu/2026/famu-copps-iph-partners-with-pan-foundation-to-expand-public-health-practicum-opportunities.php
Binghamton University: How Do Neurological Diseases Hurt Blood Circulation? New Research Looks at Lesser-studied Effects
BINGHAMTON, New York, April 18 (TNSjou) -- Binghamton University issued the following news:
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How do neurological diseases hurt blood circulation? New research looks at lesser-studied effects
Organ-on-a-chip technology mimics how cells behave inside the human body
By Chris Kocher
Scientists looking for the causes of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's generally focus on the buildup of aberrant proteins in the brain that impede normal neural connections.
New research from Binghamton University and Drexel University looks at a different, lesser-studied issue that
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BINGHAMTON, New York, April 18 (TNSjou) -- Binghamton University issued the following news:
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How do neurological diseases hurt blood circulation? New research looks at lesser-studied effects
Organ-on-a-chip technology mimics how cells behave inside the human body
By Chris Kocher
Scientists looking for the causes of neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's generally focus on the buildup of aberrant proteins in the brain that impede normal neural connections.
New research from Binghamton University and Drexel University looks at a different, lesser-studied issue thatalso hurts patients and their quality of life: how Parkinson's affects the human vascular system.
Assistant Professor Jungwook "Jay" Paek and PhD student Anika Alim from the Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science's Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering used organ-on-a-chip technology to mimic how cells behave inside the human body.
In 2024, Paek shared a $414,000 award from the National Institutes of Health to study how protein aggregates called Lewy bodies interact with the brain's diverse cellular environments and how it relates to the development of neurodegenerative diseases.
For this latest paper published in the Nature journal Communications Engineering, Paek, Alim, Drexel Assistant Professor Myungwoon Lee, and PhD student Yoongyeong Baek take an engineering approach to examine how the blood-brain barrier degrades as Parkinson's progresses.
"The inside of blood vessels in the brain is covered by endothelial cells that form a protective barrier to prevent harmful substances from entering the brain tissue," Paek said. "Parkinson's disease impairs the endothelial barrier functions and causes blood-vessel degeneration. Potentially, that increases neuronal exposure to circulating pathogenic substances and hurts their function as blood vessels for providing nutrients and oxygen for neurons."
Organ-on-a-chip technology cultivates living human cells in 3D microfluidic platforms about the size of a computer memory stick, and it can simulate the physiological functions, mechanics, and response of entire organs in a way that's easy to observe.
After introducing alpha-synuclein protein aggregates -- similar to Lewy bodies in Parkinson's patients -- into the organ-on-a-chip environment, the Binghamton and Drexel researchers tracked the progression of vascular degradation. They observed abnormalities such as endothelial dysfunction, barrier disruption, vascular regression, and impairment of blood flow.
"Before this research, most studies on Parkinson's disease have focused on the aggregation of specific proteins and their impacts on neurodegeneration," Paek said. "However, how the protein aggregation contributes to vascular complications remains largely underexplored, so this is an exciting finding."
Based on this research, future work will include more testing and improved artificial-intelligence modeling for disease progression. Paek hopes that understanding more about neurological disorders will lead to innovative therapies.
"Parkinson's is a multifaceted disease," he said. "Understanding the complex interplay between neurodegeneration and vascular pathology offers unique opportunities to help patients."
The publication, "Microengineering of the capillary interface of midbrain dopaminergic neurons to study Parkinson's disease vascular alterations," was selected for a short video feature by Springer Nature.
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Original text here: https://www.binghamton.edu/news/story/6165/how-do-neurological-diseases-hurt-blood-circulation-new-binghamton-university-research-looks-at-lesser-studied-effects
