Ascend West Virginia, the nation’s premiere talent attraction and retention program, today announced its inaugural class will soon pack their bags for Morgantown, the program’s first host city. Founded by West Virginia native Brad D. Smith and his wife Alys, Ascend will provide these pioneers more than $20,000 in incentives—and a path to "Almost Heaven."
This fall six new West Virginia University students with intellectual and developmental disabilities are paving the way for future students to be able to go to college, live on campus and gain academic and career preparation.
A new, biennial West Virginia population-based health survey—the Mountain State Assessment of Trends in Community Health—will gather information to help health officials and policy makers better understand the critical health needs of all 55 West Virginia counties, with the goal of directing resource allocations to communities that need them most.
About 90% of Americans who need treatment for a substance use disorder don’t get it. West Virginia University researchers have developed a program that allows people who have already walked the path of substance use disorder through recovery to be their guides to a healthier life.
Nicolas Zegre and Jamie Shinn, experts in hydrology and adaptation to climate change, respectively, used flooding in the Greenbrier County communities of Rainelle and White Sulphur Springs in 2016 to focus not only on what the floods did and the damage they caused, but how residents reacted and adjusted how and where they live in relationship to the water.
The vast majority of people who overdose on an opioid will survive the experience. Yet scientists know little about how nonfatal overdoses affect the brain and cognition. WVU School of Medicine researchers Erin Winstanley and James Mahoney systematically reviewed journal articles that examined the topic. Overall, the studies supported a link between overdose, brain abnormalities and cognitive impairment, but more research—with more precision—is needed. Their findings appear in Drug and Alcohol Dependence.
West Virginia University Director of Athletics and Associate Vice President Shane Lyons has announced a contract extension for men's basketball coach Bob Huggins to serve as head coach through the 2023-24 season, with the option to continue to coach or extend his relationship with the University to June 30, 2027. The amended employment agreement takes effect immediately.
This fall, West Virginia University researchers will drill three miles into the ground to test the potential of geothermal energy. If successful, it might eventually help to reduce the carbon footprint of the University and decrease energy costs.
WVU researchers are monitoring wastewater for COVID-19 concentrations and thanks to a nearly $3 million grant will develop a testing network throughout the state. The new testing process has possibilities beyond the pandemic to test for influenza, RSV, HIV and other viruses, as well as signs of antibiotic-resistance genes.
As a new semester begins, West Virginia University is increasing services to address students’ emotional and mental health needs and promote the awareness of resources available.