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Florida Universities, Research Institutes Receive Millions In Zika Grant Funding

CDC twitter

Several Florida universities and research institutes have received millions of dollars in grants to help fight the Zika virus—the mosquito borne disease that can cause severe birth defects.

On Wednesday, Governor Rick Scott announced the grant funding totaling $25 million.

The goal of the 34 grant awards is to help develop a Zika vaccine, understand and alleviate the long-term impact of the mosquito-borne disease on kids and adults, as well as develop new testing methods.

University of Miami received the most amount of money: more than $13 million.

Florida International University, Florida State University, University of Florida, and University of South Florida also got more than $2 million each.

And, the rest of the universities along with the Moffitt Cancer Center and the Scripps Research Institute received nearly $200,000 each.

For more news updates, follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter: @SaschaCordner.

Sascha Cordner has more than ten years of public radio experience. It includes working at NPR member station WUFT-FM in Gainesville for several years. She's worked in both radio and TV, serving in various capacities as a reporter, producer and anchor. She's also a graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in telecommunications. She is the recipient of 15 awards from the Associated Press, Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), and Edward R. Murrow. Her award-winning stories include her coverage on the infamous “Dozier School for Boys” and a feature titled "Male Breast Cancer: Lost in the Sea of Pink." Currently, Sascha serves as the host and producer of local and state news content for the afternoon news program "All Things Considered" at WFSU. Sascha primarily covers criminal justice and social services issues. When she's not reporting, Sascha likes catching up on her favorite TV shows, singing and reading. Follow Sascha Cordner on Twitter:@SaschaCordner.