Arizona Bioscience News: COVID-19 in Arizona; NAU biologist grant; SciTech Festival at 10 years

January 7, 2021

By Matt Ellsworth

Arizona’s three public universities, which have been research leaders on COVID-19 including developing tests and PPE, were awarded a combined $115 million for their response efforts. Arizona is leading the nation in its rate of new COVID-19 cases, and the number of hospitalizations is at an all-time high since the start of the pandemic. January is expected to become increasingly difficult, but vaccines are being distributed with expectations the pace will quicken.


‘January is going to be a very rough time’: COVID-19 surge puts hospitals on overload / Arizona Republic


Phoenix COVID-19 ‘hot spot of the world’ expected to peak soon / Phoenix Business Journal


Arizona has the highest rate of new COVID-19 cases in the US, CDC says / Arizona Republic


More contagious UK coronavirus variant might be in Arizona / KJZZ


After rough start, Maricopa County steps up COVID-19 vaccination program / KJZZ


Arizonans 75 and older next in line for vaccine; COVID-19 cases climb to third highest in nation / Phoenix Business Journal


Slow rollout of vaccine in Arizona leads frustrated governor to intervene / Arizona Republic


COVID-19 vaccine rollout across Tucson gaining momentum after slow start / Arizona Daily Star


Several Banner hospitals over 120% capacity, elective surgeries postponed / azfamily.com


Valleywise Health doctor: More than two-thirds of ICU patients have COVID-19 / KJZZ


Overwhelmed Banner Health hospitals to divert COVID-19 patients arriving by ambulance / KJZZ


Arizona’s 3 public universities awarded $115M for COVID-19 response efforts / Phoenix Business Journal


‘The vaccine represents a new beginning’: Health care workers continue to get COVID-19 vaccine / Arizona Republic


NAU biologist receives grant to build software for cancer drug efficiency / KTAR

A biologist with Northern Arizona University has received a $1.4 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to continue building software tools aimed at predicting the efficiency of drugs to treat specific cancers.


UA professors honored for inventions impacting ‘welfare of society’ / Arizona Daily Star

The work of a University of Arizona professor in the College of Pharmacy, recently elected to the National Academy of Inventors, includes drugs in clinical trials and nine licensed patents leading to the creation of four companies.


Tech boom defines Central Phoenix with job growth, business attraction / AZ Big Media

Central Phoenix, which is having a significant impact on the city and region’s overall efforts to attract tech companies and their employees, features the WearTech medical device lab working to enhance research and development of wearable technology.


UA project assists tribal college students in STEAM majors / Arizona Public Media

The University of Arizona has been awarded a four-year grant to encourage and support Diné College students to transfer to the university to pursue degrees in science and technology.


This festival unlocks the mystery of science and technology. It may boost our economy, too / Arizona Republic (Op-ed)

Jeremy Babendure, executive director of the SciTech Institute, writes that as the Arizona SciTech Festival enters its 10th year it has become the third-largest STEM festival in the nation. Read More: Connect2STEM 2021 will return as dynamic virtual experience


Upcoming Events

Jan. 19: AZBioPEERS (R&D Tax Credits)

Jan. 21: reimagine Health Research Symposium

Jan 30: Connect2STEM 2021


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