Gheorghe Selected as Reviewer for Advanced Research Institution Grant Program

Old Dominion University professor Adrian Gheorghe has been selected as a reviewer for the Center for Integrated Research of Campus Bio-Medico University's 2008-10 Advanced Research Institution Grant Program.

The program, which awards up to 200,000 euros to selected projects, is aimed at spurring the development of the recently established research center by attracting new and innovative projects. These projects will focus on the biomedicine, biotechnology and bioengineering fields, with an eye toward proposals that offer multi-disciplinary research opportunities.

As a reviewer, Gheorghe will evaluate research proposals that come into the program and offering his recommendation to the university. He was selected as a reviewer in part because of his status as a prominent expert in more than one scientific field. Currently a senior research scientist with the National Centers of System of Systems Engineering as well as the endowed chair on system engineering in ODU's Frank Batten College of Engineering and Technology, Gheorghe previously served as a reviewer for the European Research Commission.

Gheorghe considers serving as a reviewer to be a privilege, and more importantly, as part of his professional responsibility. He said that he was eager to see what proposals he would receive.

"When you take part in something like this, you can get ahead of the curve," he said. "You see all kinds of new ideas come across your desk, and think, 'Wow, I wonder if that could work?' You become better informed."

Established in 1991 in Rome, the Campus Bio-Medico is primarily a health service and scientific research institution. Known for its small number of students and emphasis on creating a patient-centered environment, the school offers degrees in nursing, medicine, dietary science, and biomedical engineering.

Gheorghe said will be conducting the bulk of the review process electronically, and will not be required to travel to Italy.