Kansas University’s Blake Peterson, whose research focuses on anti-cancer drugs, was selected Wednesday as one of the first two “eminent scholars” by the Kansas Bioscience Authority.

Peterson, a medicinal chemistry professor recruited from Pennsylvania State University, will receive $5 million over five years for research.

The other eminent scholar is Juergen Richt, a world-class animal researcher who will join Kansas State University in April. He will receive $2 million over five years.

The bioscience authority also approved $2 million in matching funds over six years to KU and Wichita State University, provided they are successful in winning funding from the National Science Foundation to establish a research center that would focus on biomaterials that could be used in medical applications.

Pinnacle Technology, of Lawrence, will receive up to $375,000 in matching funds from the authority for development of wireless biosensor technology that focuses on brain-related diseases.

The bioscience authority was established in 2004 to expand bioscience research and business in the state.