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The University of California, ����ԭ��, has been named one of The Hartwell Foundation’s top 10 centers for biomedical research.

“We are proud and excited that the foundation has selected UC ����ԭ�� for this top honor,” Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi said. “Our selection to the top-10 list is evidence of the excellent achievements of our researchers.”

The Memphis-based Hartwell Foundation is committed to funding innovative early stage biomedical research to benefit children.

“Like UC ����ԭ��, The Hartwell Foundation seeks to inspire innovation and achievement,” said foundation president Frederick A. Dombrose. “The leadership of UC ����ԭ�� shares the same values as The Hartwell Foundation.”

Three UC ����ԭ�� researchers have received Hartwell Individual Biomedical Research Awards over the last three years.

The most recent award — $300,000 in research support for three years — is to Cristina E. ����ԭ��, an associate professor in the UC ����ԭ�� Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. The award will support ����ԭ��’ proposal to develop a breath sensor device that could improve asthma control in children.

����ԭ�� will collaborate with UC ����ԭ�� colleagues Bruce Hammock, a professor of entomology; Jean-Pierre Delplanque, a professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering; Ruth McDonald, a professor of pediatrics; and Nicholas Kenyon, an associate professor of internal medicine.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to pursue a research plan poised to provide a ‘quantum leap’ forward in our understanding and implementation of real-time diagnostic tests for childhood asthma,” said ����ԭ��. “I am very grateful to receive this recognition and support from The Hartwell Foundation." ����ԭ�� is among 12 researchers from 10 institutions who were selected as Hartwell investigators this year.

Previous Hartwell Individual Biomedical Research Award winners at UC ����ԭ�� are Sanjay Joshi, an associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, and J. Kent Leach, an associate professor of biomedical engineering.

Until now, UC ����ԭ�� has been invited to nominate two researchers each year for Hartwell research awards. With its designation as a “research center of excellence” by the foundation, the university will now be eligible to nominate four researchers a year.

The other top-10 biomedical research centers on the Hartwell list are Cornell University; Duke University; St. Jude Children's Research Hospital; the Johns Hopkins University; the University of Michigan; the University of Wisconsin Madison; UC San Diego; the University of Virginia; and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.