Board meetings, strategic plans, and buyer signals from Shannon Sesterhenn’s organization
Feb 3, 2026·BoardMeeting
Board
Midwestern University Institutional Biosafety Committee Meeting Minutes
The committee discussed several research applications, specifically focusing on the review of Dr. Savannah Sanchez's rsNA application regarding Orientia tsutsugamushi mutagenesis. The discussion covered risk assessment, biocontainment levels, facility procedures, and a noted discrepancy in an NIH OSP response concerning the organism's risk group classification. The committee ultimately voted to approve the rsNA application under specific NIH guidelines.
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The committee reviewed and acted upon several research applications involving recombinant nucleic acid. They unanimously approved the application from Dr. Mercer pending specified document revisions and containment adjustments. The application from Dr. Sanchez regarding Orientia tsutsugamushi was tabled pending further institutional and regulatory support for utilizing a Risk Group 3 organism. Additionally, a second application from Dr. Sanchez concerning Rickettsia montanensis was approved pending clarifications regarding experimental methodology and pathogen virulence assessments.
Nov 18, 2025·StrategicPlan
Board
Midwestern University Strategic Plan 2026-2031
The strategic plan for Midwestern University aims to establish it as the premiere osteopathic educational institution in the southwest. Key priorities include enhancing clinical training and rotation sites, developing and supporting Graduate Medical Education residency programs, and fostering research and scholarly activities. The plan also focuses on improving student, faculty, and staff wellness, integrating new technologies like artificial intelligence and ultrasound into the curriculum, and strengthening admissions to attract a diverse student body. Additionally, it emphasizes community service, alumni engagement, and continuous curriculum assessment to ensure academic excellence and student success.
Oct 27, 2025·BoardMeeting
Board
Midwestern University Institutional Biosafety Committee Meeting Minutes
The Institutional Biosafety Committee meeting addressed procedural matters, including reminding attendees about public disclosure of notes and conflicts of interest concerning research proposals. Old Business included updates on two previously approved research proposals by Dr. Jeffrey Kurkewich and Dr. Michael Ebeid. The primary focus of the meeting was the review of a new rsNA Application from Dr. Nicholas Haley for the Glendale, AZ Campus, titled "Exploring chronic wasting disease prion amplification potential in various PRNP substrates." The Committee unanimously approved the application pending several required revisions related to reagent listing, confirmation of sealed centrifuge containers, clarification of tissue homogenization procedures, and revision of waste inactivation protocols for prions.
Extracted from official board minutes, strategic plans, and video transcripts.
