The M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust has awarded Willamette two Research Start-Up Grants for New Science Faculty.

Chemistry Professor Karen Holman earned $25,000 to support the hire of a new bioanalytical chemist, and biology Professor David Craig received $25,000 to support the hire of a microbiology professor.

The grants will go toward the new professors' start-up packages - money that helps them initiate their research programs. The grants also include an additional $15,000 if the new faculty members receive a multi-year renewable research grant to support their research within 30 months of arriving at Willamette.

Since the start-up grant program began in 2005, Willamette has earned eight awards. Overall, the Murdock Charitable Trust has awarded more than half a million dollars through several grant programs in support of science research at Willamette.