Centers and Institutes
Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute
4100 John R Street, 2nd Floor
313-576-8670 or 1-800-527-6277
https://karmanos.org
The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute is one of fifty-seven National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the country. The Karmanos Cancer Institute operates the Karmanos Cancer Center, an independent cancer hospital, and manages the comprehensive cancer center core grant from the National Cancer Institute, in affiliation with Wayne State University. The Cancer Institute is a premier, nationally-recognized cancer research, treatment, education, and outreach center. There are robust research programs designed to integrate basic science, translational, and population studies. These are as follows:
- Molecular Therapeutics
- Population Sciences
- Tumor Biology and Microenvironment
The cancer center offers diverse educational programs that are closely aligned with the research and clinical programs encompassing community outreach, graduate training in Cancer Biology and Medical Physics, and residency/fellowship programs in hematology/oncology.
Center for Automotive Research
Director: Naiem Henein, Ph.D.
2121 Engineering
313-577-3887
https://automotiveresearch.wayne.edu/
The Center for Automotive Research (CAR) was established in 1980 to advance, promote and support research and academic courses in areas of interest to the automotive industry. Faculty and graduate students from the James and Patricia Anderson College of Engineering and local industry participate in the research programs conducted at the Center.
Current research areas include the auto-ignition, combustion and emission characteristics of petroleum, alternate and renewable fuels in spark-ignition and compression-ignition engines, under different operating conditions. The research thrust areas are auto-ignition and combustion in engines, conventional, alternate and renewable fuels, cold startability at low ambient temperatures, sensors, diagnostics, electronic controls, engine dynamics, friction and wear, and simulations and mathematical modeling.
The research in the Center combines theoretical and experimental investigations. Theoretical research deals with fundamental processes of thermodynamics, heat transfer, mass transfer, and combustion kinetics, applied to combustion engines. CFD and chemical kinetics codes are used to determine the flow in the combustion chamber, the development of the auto-ignition and combustion processes, the radicals concentrations and the formation of the different engine-out emission species. In addition to the cold room and optical engine test cells, experimental research is conducted under warmed up and loaded engine conditions in six dynamometer test cells equipped with electric dynamometers, flow-meters, pressure transducers, charge amplifiers, shaft encoders, gas analysis equipment, particulate mass and characterization equipment, gas chromatograph, FTIR spectrometer, mass spectrometer, fast response flame ionization detectors, fast-response NO detectors, and fast response CO and CO2 detectors and high speed data acquisition systems.
Center for Excellence and Equity in Mathematics
Director: Steven Kahn, Ph.D.
1309 Faculty Administration Building
313-577-2558
http://clas.wayne.edu/ceem/
The Center for Excellence and Equity in Mathematics, in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, is a research and educational center with a two-fold mission: to find ways to significantly improve the quality of K-12 and introductory college-level mathematics instruction across the United States; and, by using mathematics as a tool, to provide students from inner cities and underrepresented minority groups with the kinds of educational and lifetime opportunities that should be available to all students.
The Center currently operates five core programs: the WSU Math Corps, an outreach program serving Detroit middle and high school students; the WSU Middle and High School Math Network, which provides day to day instructional and/or operational resources to Detroit are a middle and high school math departments; the Math Corps Learning Community at WSU, a University support and retention program for Math Corps "kids" now attending WSU; and the Emerging Scholars Program (ESP), a WSU honors-level calculus and pre-calculus program; and the Rising Scholars Program (RSP), serving WSU students at the developmental level.
Center for Latino/a and Latin American Studies
Director: Jorge L. Chinea, Ph.D.
790 Student Center Building
313-577-4378
https://las.wayne.edu/
The Center for Latino/a and Latin American Studies is a multi-service unit engaged in teaching, research, and service. The Center plays an important role in the urban mission of Wayne State University and involves four components:
- The Center hosts two learning communities: the CBS Scholars Program and the College-to-Career Program. The first one recruits students into the University, facilitates their transition between high school and college, and promotes increased retention. The second program supports students through completion of their degrees and beyond, especially in the areas of career development and graduate school preparedness. It also offers courses and related educational activities for students interested in Latino and Latin American Studies.
- It promotes research on issues relevant to the Latino/a community, especially in the urban and workplace environment; and Latin American cultural studies and current issues.
- It creates and fosters the interaction and exchange of personnel and resources between the University and the Latino/a community; and it serves as a source of expertise on Latino issues to the larger metropolitan community.
- As an advocate for the awareness and advancement of Latino/a issues within the University, the Center contributes to the University's continuing efforts to create a richer multicultural campus environment.
Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics
Director: Lawrence I. Grossman, Ph.D.
3127 Scott Hall, 540 E. Canfield
313-577-5323
https://genetics.wayne.edu/
The Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics is the University’s premier site for interdisciplinary research and education focused on modern molecular medicine, genetics, and genomics. The Center’s strong interdisciplinary environment and highly collaborative faculty include primary and jointly-appointed members with broad expertise in genetics, genomics, computational biology, and molecular biology. Together, they conduct leading-edge research that advances precision medicine to improve the understanding, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of human disease. The Center occupies over 28,000 sq. ft. of state-of-the-art research space in the Medical School, including both open and closed laboratories, faculty and administrative offices, shared equipment and special procedure rooms, conference rooms, and interaction areas. Center faculty labs are also located in key satellite campus locations including the Integrative Biosciences (iBio) Center and the Karmanos Cancer Institute. The Center’s dual mission of research and education is realized through its research-intensive graduate programs (PhD and MS) in Molecular Genetics and Genomics and an accredited MS program in Genetic Counseling. These programs prepare the next generation of scientists to lead advances in genomics and precision medicine.
Center faculty also train undergraduate students in their laboratories, providing an outstanding opportunity to gain valuable research experience. In addition, the Center hosts a highly selective Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP), through which participants engage in immersive research and professional development. Many SURP alumni have gone on to attend prestigious universities and graduate programs to pursue advanced degrees in biomedical science and medicine.
For more information on the Center’s research and training opportunities see www.genetics.wayne.edu.
Center for Peace and Conflict Studies
Director: Pontus Leander, Ph.D.
2320 Faculty/Administration Building
313-577-3453
https://cpcs.wayne.edu/
On November 20, 1965, the Center for Teaching about War and Peace opened its doors under the leadership of Director Russell Broadhead and a committee of distinguished faculty members. The mission then was to provide interdisciplinary, University-wide, academic programs in the field of domestic and international conflict and peace issues. In 1987, the WSU Board of Governors, building upon this rich heritage, created the Center for Peace and Conflict Studies.
The mission of the Center for Peace and Conflict Studies is to develop and implement projects, programs, curricula, research, and publications in areas of scholarship related to international and domestic peace, war, social justice, arms control, globalization, multi-cultural awareness and constructive conflict resolution. The Center addresses this mission in three ways. CPCS supports undergraduate and graduate student excellence through its academic programs. CPCS staff and students engage in scholarly research initiatives on aspects of domestic and international conflict management. CPCS provides community outreach programs that emphasize: conflict resolution, development of inter-cultural understanding, and enhance local knowledge of global affairs.
Center for Social Work Research
5447 Woodward
(313) 577-2262
https://socialwork.wayne.edu/research
Chartered in 2008, the Center for Social Work Research seeks to propel research within urban communities in an international context by facilitating connections among Social Work faculty, students, research staff, the broader campus community, and community organizations. The Center uses interactive processes where researchers, practitioners, and policy makers can find new ways to work together, generate innovative ideas, expand research opportunities, share knowledge, and solve problems. Our commitment to the Detroit community is demonstrated through our portfolio of research, evaluation, assessment, and training that builds on local strengths and opportunities to create positive change.
The Center for Social Work Research provides access to a range of resources for faculty, students, and organizational, institutional and community members. The Center leverages pre- and post- award services, conference rooms, and information technology resources at the School of Social Work. To foster a learning environment, we hire and utilize the skills of student research assistants, supported by a professional project manager, and coordinator.
The Center’s services include support preparing grant applications, meeting your funders’ evaluation criteria to maximize broader public impact on communities. Our team is equipped to provide an array of evaluation and research services including logic model development, survey design and analysis, focus group facilitation, needs assessments, and data collection and analysis. Translating research and disseminating social work knowledge is critical. To that end, the Center maintains recent research findings on our web page, hosts a monthly research discussion series, and annual symposium.
Center for the Study of Citizenship
Director: Saeed Khan
3157 Faculty/Admin. Bldg.
313-577-2593
http://www.clas.wayne.edu/citizenship
The Center for the Study of Citizenship at Wayne State University promotes research and intellectual exchange about citizenship among a global community of scholars; students; political, community, and business leaders; and the general public. The Center fosters research in the emerging interdisciplinary field of citizenship studies locally, nationally, and internationally. In particular, the Center encourages analysis of the relationship between citizens and the political, social, economic, and cultural communities of which they are a part. Toward these ends, the Center hosts the leading international conference in citizenship studies; publishes a book series, Citizenship Studies, in collaboration with the Wayne State University Press; sponsors a discussion network with over 2000 subscribers from over 30 countries; hosts an annual civic festival in September; and sponsors public programs about citizenship.
Center for Urban Studies
Director: Lyke Thompson, Ph.D.
Managing Director: Charo Hulleza, M.P.A.
5700 Cass Avenue, Room 2207 Academic/Administration Building
313-577-2208
http://www.cus.wayne.edu
The Center for Urban Studies improves understanding of and provides innovative responses to urban challenges and opportunities. The Center conducts and disseminates research, develops policies and programs, and provides training, capacity-building, and technical assistance. The Center participates in defining and influencing local, regional, State, and urban policy. The Center's current initiatives have a real, substantial and lasting impact on Detroit's challenges across a number of areas ranging from crime reduction to healthy homes. Committed to serving Detroit and its metropolitan area, the Center exemplifies Wayne State's urban research and service mission. The Center employs a highly trained multi-disciplinary team consisting of social science Ph.D. and master's-level researchers, as well as WSU graduate and undergraduate students.
Center to Advance Palliative-Care Excellence (CAPEWAYNE)
4201 St. Antoine, Suite 5C-UHC
313-576-3997
http://www.capewayne.med.wayne.edu
CAPEWAYNE is an inter-disciplinary academic center bringing together scholars, educators, researchers and clinicians dedicated to improving the quality of end-of-life care. The main focus areas of this center are education, research and clinical practice, all of which permeated by the field of humanities.
Education: The Center offers an end-of-life curriculum for students, trainees and clinicians across disciplines and levels of training. A major undertaking of the Center is to offer a highly regarded regional conference on Palliative Care annually.
Research: The Center gathers researchers who have a shared interest in the conduct of collaborative, interdisciplinary interdepartmental research.
Clinical Practice: The Center provides resources to clinicians across disciplines and settings that practice palliative care, through a paradigm of sharing and ensuring optimization of clinical care in our community.
Cohn-Haddow Center for Judaic Studies
Director: Howard Lupovitch, Ph.D.
2311 Faculty/Admin. Bldg., 656 W. Kirby
313-577-2679
https://judaicstudies.wayne.edu/
Established in 1988 as a cooperative venture between Wayne State University and the Jewish Foundation of Metropolitan Detroit/United Jewish Foundation, the Cohn-Haddow Center embodies the fruitful relationship that has long linked the University to the metropolitan Jewish community. As such, it is a model for universities and Jewish communities in a dynamic urban setting. The Cohn-Haddow Center serves as a resource to the University and to the larger community in Jewish studies and related areas. It sponsors a broad array of programs and activities related to several of the University's wide-ranging missions. From biannual international conferences to smaller symposia, incidental lectures, and broadly-defined cultural events, the Cohn-Haddow Center has introduced the University and community to some of the world’s most distinguished academics and eminent writers, poets, artists and musicians.
C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development
Director: Gil G. Mor, M.D., Ph.D.
275 E. Hancock
313-577-1337
https://mott.med.wayne.edu/
The C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, a basic, research facility housing over 24,000 sq. ft. of laboratory space, is located on the medical campus of Wayne State University School of Medicine.
Initially occupied in 1973, the building has been totally renovated through a 5-phase reconstruction project spanning the years of 2001-2008. In addition to individual Ob/Gyn investigators' laboratories/offices and animal facilities, the renovated building now also houses the research laboratories of the Perinatology Research Branch (PRB) of the NICHD, the Implantation Laboratory of the Reproductive Biology and Medicine Branch, NICHD Intramural Research Division, the Wayne State University Genomics Facility, a Bioinformatics Center and a Systems Biology section. It also contains one of the Ob/Gyn Department's Clinical Research areas.
Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights
Director: Peter J. Hammer, J.D., Ph.D.
471 W. Palmer St.
313-577-3620
https://law.wayne.edu/keith-center/
Located within Wayne State University's Law School, the Damon J. Keith Center for Civil Rights addresses the civil rights needs of southeast Michigan and beyond. The Keith Center's mission is to promote the educational, economic and political power of underrepresented communities in urban settings.
Our communities need institutions that call attention to today's civil rights challenges and that nurture social conscience. The Keith Center strives to be one such institution: a hub for civil rights teaching, research and action, and a place that fuels the next generation of civil rights leaders.
At the Keith Center, stakeholders gather to analyze policy, law students teach a civil rights curriculum to high school students, and leaders dive into the equity issues of the day, such as tax foreclosures, water shutoffs and police-community relations. We welcome the public for lectures by civil rights icons, we support community-based organizations, and we publish scholarship about how the law and social justice impact one another.
Developmental Disabilities Institute
Director: Sharon Milberger, Sc.D.
Leonard Simons Building
4809 Woodward Avenue, Suite 268
313-577-2654 or 888-978-4334
https://ddi.wayne.edu/
The Developmental Disabilities Institute is one of a national network of over sixty University Affiliated Programs, nationally and in U.S. territories. The Institute’s mission is to contribute to the development of inclusive communities, which enhance the quality of life of people with disabilities and their families through a culturally-sensitive statewide program of interdisciplinary education, community support and services, and research and dissemination of information.
Staff and faculty engage in technical assistance, training, and research programs throughout Michigan via collaborative efforts with schools, community agencies, community colleges, and other Universities. Over 10,000 individuals with disabilities benefit from these activities annually. The Institute offers a wide range of opportunities for students and faculty to engage in state-of-the-art community-based research, education, and technical assistance.
The Institute develops activities and projects based on needs of persons with disabilities and the communities in which they live and work. The Community Advisory Council, composed of representatives of twenty-five key statewide organizations, meets bi-annually to provide information and assistance to Institute staff and faculty in establishing priorities and evaluating activities.
Fraser Center for Workplace Issues and Center for Labor Studies (Labor@Wayne)
249 Walter P. Reuther Library, 5401 Cass Ave.
313-577-6601 (main office)
https://labor.wayne.edu
Humanities Center
Director: Jaime Goodrich, Ph.D.
2226 Faculty/Administration Building; 656 W. Kirby; 313-577-5471
https://humanities.wayne.edu/
The Humanities Center serves as a campus-wide hub for Wayne State faculty and students working in the humanities, arts, and related disciplines. Through its events and fellowships, the Center pursues three major goals: 1) to nurture scholarly and creative work in the humanities and allied fields; 2) to promote intellectual exchanges relevant to the humanities; 3) to facilitate multidisciplinary collaboration and community. The Center also aims to encourage public humanities initiatives that will allow Wayne State faculty and students to conduct innovative community-based work, especially in the Detroit metro area and Michigan. With its various programs, the Center brings together humanists of all kinds to showcase the centrality of the humanities to our contemporary moment.
In addition to hosting brown bag talks and other events, the Humanities Center provides funding support to both faculty members and students. Two of the Center's most prominent faculty programs are the Faculty Fellowship Competition (two course releases), the Summer Faculty Fellowship (research funds) and the Marilyn Williamson Endowed Distinguished Faculty Fellowship (two to four course releases plus research funds). Prominent student programs are the Doctoral Dissertation Fellowship ($25,000 plus health care coverage and tuition remission), the Graduate Summer Grant (research funds), and the Graduate Travel program (travel funds).
Institute of Environmental Health Sciences/Center for Urban Responses to Environmental Stressors (IEHS/CURES)
Integrative Biosciences Center, 6135 Woodward Ave.
313-577-5598
https://iehs.wayne.edu/
IEHS/CURES is the originator of two integrative, transdisciplinary NIEHS-funded center grant programs, the “Center for Urban Responses to Environmental Stressors (CURES)” (P30ES036084) environmental health sciences core center and the “Center for Leadership in Environmental Awareness and Research (CLEAR)” (P42 ES030991) Superfund Research Program. The mission of IEHS/CURES is to work in partnership with Detroit’s urban community and apply leading-edge research approaches and technologies to detect, mitigate, and ultimately eradicate the deleterious effects of urban industrial and post-industrial environmental stressors on human health. To achieve this mission, IEHS/CURES is committed to building strong transdisciplinary research teams that are equipped to address and solve problems associated with both legacy and emerging environmental health challenges that affect the quality of life and “health-span” of citizens living and working in and around the City of Detroit. The ultimate goal of IEHS/CURES research is to advance knowledge that will benefit human health via prevention or early detection of environmentally induced disease.
Institute of Gerontology
Interim Director: Thomas Jankowski, Ph.D.
87 E. Ferry St., 226 Knapp Bldg.
313-664-2600
https://iog.wayne.edu
The Institute of Gerontology was created in 1965 by the Wayne State University Board of Governors in response to a mandate by the State of Michigan.
The Institute of Gerontology strives to contribute relevant research and education devoted to enhancing the quality of life of older people, especially those who reside in metropolitan Detroit and the State of Michigan. The interdisciplinary team of faculty partner with academic colleagues, trainees, community organizations, and citizens to better understand aging and health. It works to promote the integration of gerontology into the broader research, teaching, and service activities of Wayne State University, and employs analytical and conceptual advances in the understanding of aging and related processes, with specific attention focused on health and health disparities in our urban environment.
Labor Studies Center
Director: Elizabeth Faue, Ph.D.
249 Walter P. Reuther Library, 5401 Cass Ave.
313-577-2191
https://labor.wayne.edu
The Labor Studies Center is a comprehensive labor education center committed to strengthening the capacity of organized labor to represent the needs and interests of workers, while at the same time strengthening the University’s interdisciplinary research and teaching on labor and labor relations issues. The Center’s primary areas of research and practice include: training and technical assistance to unions on labor relations and workplace issues; an undergraduate labor studies major and internship program; interventions to increase the organizational effectiveness of unions; the development and diffusion of constructive labor-management relations practices, particularly in the public sector; the formation and institutionalization of labor-community coalitions; and the impact of lean production systems on workers and labor relations practice in the North American auto industry.
Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute
Director: Alissa Huth-Bocks, Ph.D.
71 East Ferry Ave.
313-664-2500
https://mpsi.wayne.edu/
The Merrill-Palmer Skillman Institute is an interdisciplinary research institute focusing on urban children and families. It has a long and distinguished history as a research and educational institution, serving as a pioneer in the field of child development and early education. Since it became a part of Wayne State University in 1982, the Institute has encouraged collaborations among faculty from many departments within the University.
The Institute emphasizes research, research training and community engagement and service in the areas of children’s health and development. Current research strengths range from pre-natal exposures and child development, infant mental health, cognitive development of high risk infants as well as adolescent health and development. The service programs of the Institute are an outgrowth of its research mission. MPSI operates one of the nation’s oldest preschools. Community outreach and engagement through MPSI’s Healthier Urban Families Program includes training of mental health workers who serve very young children in the care of public and non-profit agencies; consultation to education and child care organizations; workshops for teachers, parents and the public; and the annual Metropolitan Detroit Teen Conference.
Infant Mental Health: Dual-title degree programs in infant mental health are offered in conjunction with degrees sponsored by the Schools of Nursing, Education and Social Work. For curricula pertaining to these programs, please refer to the individual program and school/college sections in this bulletin.