Marian University is helping shape the future of musculoskeletal health research and workforce development as a partner in an Indiana-led initiative selected as one of 12 National Science Foundation (NSF) Regional Innovation Engines nationwide.
The Indiana Musculoskeletal Health Partnership for the Advancement of Care and Treatment (IMPACT) received an initial $15 million from the NSF, with the potential to receive up to $160 million over the next decade if key milestones are met. The initiative unites universities, healthcare organizations, industry leaders and research institutions to accelerate discoveries, strengthen Indiana's healthcare workforce and translate research into new technologies that improve patient care.
Marian's involvement in the consortium dates to its earliest planning stages. Dr. Jonathan Lowery, assistant provost for research and scholarship and professor of physiology, has been a member of the consortium since its founding and was among its original 25 members who helped develop the initiative.
“This partnership builds on Marian’s strengths in musculoskeletal research, rehabilitation sciences, and healthcare education,” Dr. Lowery said. “As the nation’s first Franciscan Research University, we will connect faculty and students with partners across Indiana, expand research and experiential learning opportunities, and help prepare the workforce needed to advance musculoskeletal health.”
Musculoskeletal disorders, including conditions affecting bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and connective tissue, are among the leading causes of disability worldwide. Through the NSF Regional Innovation Engine, consortium members will strengthen collaboration among researchers, healthcare providers, and industry, expand educational opportunities, and prepare the next generation of healthcare professionals.
For Marian University, the initiative aligns closely with its mission of educating healthcare professionals while expanding research that improves lives.
"We have a competitive regional advantage with the consortium members, and it's about bringing economic growth to the state," said Dr. Melissa Kacena, director of the Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health. "A lot of that is workforce development, and Marian is going to be a huge contributor and recipient of that, as well as the research that can lead to technologies that we can commercialize and have economic growth."
The consortium will connect Indiana's nationally recognized orthopedic industry with the state's universities, healthcare systems, and research organizations to accelerate innovation in musculoskeletal care. Beyond advancing research, the initiative emphasizes workforce development that begins in K-12 education and continues through higher education and professional training, creating new opportunities for students entering healthcare and research careers.
Indiana is already a global leader in orthopedic manufacturing and medical technology. Through the NSF Regional Innovation Engine, Marian University and its partners will build on those strengths by advancing research, developing talent, and accelerating innovations that improve patient care while supporting Indiana's growing life sciences economy.