RFP for National Science Foundation RII Released

The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, Division of Science and Research, has released a request for pre-proposals for the FY2008 West Virginia Research Infrastructure Improvement (RII) Proposal to the National Science Foundation. Principal investigators for this program must be STEM (science, technology, engineering or math) faculty from West Virginia University or Marshall University, but faculty from other colleges and universities may be part of the research team for the pre-proposal.

To request a copy of the RFP, contact:

Jan R. Taylor, Ph.D.
Deputy Director/Senior Research Fellow
jtaylor@wvepscor.org
(304) 558-4128 x3

WVU Davis College Grad Students Recognized for Research

Two graduate students in West Virginia University’s Davis College of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Sciences made strong showings in research competition at the annual meeting of the Institute of Food Technologists held recently in Chicago.

Joey Gigliotti earned 2nd place in the Nutrition Division with his paper titled "Isolation and nutritional analysis of krill protein concentrate." Gigliotti, of Berkeley Springs, is pursuing a master’s degree in human nutrition and foods. His major advisor is Dr. Janet Tou, assistant professor of human nutrition and foods, and his co-advisor is Dr. Jacek Jaczynski, assistant professor of food science and technology.

Leah Levanduski earned 4th place in the Nonthermal Processing Division for his paper titled “Increased resistance of Escherichia coli O157:H7 to electron beam following repetitive irradiation at sub-lethal doses.” Levandusky, of Acme, Pa., earned her master’s degree in animal and nutritional sciences over the summer and will begin veterinary school at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia this fall. Her major advisor was Dr. Jaczynski.

“This is a great recognition for our students and research programs at WVU,” Tou said. “The IFT Annual Meeting is the largest professional meeting in the field.”

Almost 24,000 attendees from more than 75 countries from around the world convened at this years IFT meeting in Chicago. Founded in 1939, the Institute of Food Technologists is a nonprofit scientific society with 22,000 members working in food science, food technology, and related professions in industry, academia and government.

WVEPSCoR Releases RFPs for Four Programs

The West Virginia Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (WVEPSCoR) today released requests for proposals (RFPs) for the following four grant programs:

Instrumentation Grants - These grants, which allow the purchase of modern instruments for advanced undergraduate laboratories and encourage the submission of proposals to the NSF Course, Curriculum and Laboratory Improvement Program (CCLI), are open to primarily undergraduate institution STEM faculty. The deadline to apply is Oct. 30, 2007.

Innovation Grants - These grants, which are similar to the Instrumentation Grants but target larger, more ambitious, cohesive, and/or more comprehensive innovations in laboratory/classroom settings, are open to primarily undergraduate institution STEM faculty. The deadline to apply is Oct. 30, 2007.

International Innovation Grants – These grants, which support the development of an international component in one or more STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) programs and encourage STEM faculty and students to think globally about research collaboration, grant opportunities and exchange programs, are open to STEM faculty at all baccalaureate-granting institutions. The deadline to apply is Oct. 30, 2007.Summer

Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) Grants – These grants, which provide research experiences to undergraduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields, are open to all baccalaureate-grant institutions. The deadline to apply is Oct. 9, 2007.

To request a copy of any of these RFPs, contact:

Jan R. Taylor, Ph.D.
Deputy Director/Senior Research Fellow
WVEPSCoR
jtaylor@wvepscor.org
(304) 558-4128 x3

Engineering student receives NASA Academy research award

West Virginia University student Jason Gross was recently honored with the NASA Academy’s prestigious Robert H. Goddard Research Award.

The award was presented to Gross at the conclusion of the Academy, which he attended this summer along with 16 other college students from around the nation and world.

Gross is a mechanical and aerospace engineering major at the WVU College of Engineering and Mineral Resources.

The Academy takes place at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. A select group of gifted students are recruited and developed for leadership positions in aerospace programs.

In addition to working on research projects under the guidance of NASA scientists, students attend lectures and meetings with people in the aerospace industry and visit NASA facilities around the country.

“I am passionate about two things,” said Gross, who served as WVU’s student body president last year. “One is space, and one is West Virginia University.

“Many of the students at the Academy came from top-ranked schools such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Virginia Tech and others,” he said. “At first, I was intimidated by that. Then I realized that I was just as prepared as the others.

“I am very proud of this award, not just for myself, but also for what it says about WVU," Gross added. "I would put the education that I have received here up against the preparation I could have received anywhere else in the world.”

Gross received the award for his work on the James Webb Space Telescope. The Webb Telescope, scheduled for launch in 2013, is the scientific successor to the Hubble Telescope, and is designed to increase knowledge and understanding of the history of the universe.

Gross started working on the project in the summer of 2005 as a participant in NASA’s Student Internship Program and continued his efforts this year during the Academy.

The Goddard Research Award—named after the famous pioneer of liquid fueled rocketry—was based on the judging of a poster session, final presentation and feedback from NASA scientists.

“Jason has been doing outstanding work for us for two summers running,” said Henry Sampler, one of the NASA scientists who supervised Gross’s research. “His contribution to the James Webb Space Telescope Project has been clear and quantitative and is applicable to other projects as well. He is highly deserving of this award.”

Gross is a member of the Mortar Board Senior Honorary and Tau Beta Pi, the Engineering Honorary.

Last summer, he participated in the WVU Microgravity Team, led by mechanical and aerospace engineering professor John Kuhlman and civil engineering professor Donald Gray. The team conducted an experiment in microgravity at the Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Gross will complete bachelor’s degrees in mechanical engineering and aerospace engineering in December and then plans to attend graduate school at WVU.

“I plan to earn a doctorate in aerospace engineering,” he said. “My dream is to be a NASA engineer and one day a research professor.”

“I am very proud of Jason for this honor, which is well deserved,” said Gene Cilento, Glen Hiner dean of the WVU College of Engineering and Mineral Resources. “We fully expect to see great things from him in the future.”

Gross credited the NASA West Virginia Space Grant Consortium in the College of Engineering and Mineral Resources for supporting his interest in aerospace programs, especially for helping him gain acceptance to both the NASA Student Internship Program and the Academy. The Consortium annually awards NASA internships, scholarships and research fellowships to dozens of college students in West Virginia.

He also credited the WVU Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering for supporting and encouraging him.

“I love West Virginia University,” Gross said. “And I am so grateful for the education I have received here.”


Caption: Jason Gross (center) displays the plaque he received for winning NASA Academy's prestigious Robert H. Goddard Research Award. NASA Academy officials pictured, from left, are: Dave Rosage, program director; Dr. Joseph Di Riemzi, academic dean; Tiffany Russel, logistics manager; and Diana Trujillo, operations manager.

Dow, WVU announce plans for WVU Charleston Research Campus

Union Carbide Corp. (UCC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company (Dow), and West Virginia University signed an agreement today (Aug. 20) that will establish a research campus on 58 acres of donated property located at UCC’s Technology Park in South Charleston.

The signing ceremony, held at the state Capitol, was attended by Gov. Joe Manchin who helped guide the donation and agreement.

“Union Carbide successfully nurtured a world-class reputation at the Technology Park for research and development,” Manchin said. “West Virginia University, as a growing leader in the area of higher education research, is well poised to continue that initiative. This is a winning situation, not only for UCC and WVU, but for the state of West Virginia.”

The agreement also includes the donation of several research and development laboratories to the University, including a 125,000 square foot building currently in use as a multi-tenant research and development incubator.

“This donation on the part of Dow demonstrates our commitment to the importance of academic research and the ability for collaboration,” said Allan Fowler, vice president of West Virginia Operations of Dow. “We applaud WVU and the state of West Virginia for their partnership in the development and growth of this research campus.”

The WVU Charleston Research Campus (WVUCRC), as it will be known, will serve as a center of research and economic development focusing on energy and chemical technology. Initially, WVU will relocate its Charleston extension and extended learning offices to the property. In the future, it expects to develop research and academic initiatives benefiting residents of the Charleston area.

“We are most appreciative of the farsightedness and collaborative efforts of Union Carbide Corporation, its parent Dow Chemical Company, and the leadership team at WVU in structuring this gift to the University,” said WVU President David C. Hardesty Jr. “It has been a major effort, but all have worked together to make this day possible. We also recognize and appreciate Gov. Manchin's help in making such a major donation possible. His leadership at critical times has made a meaningful difference.”

Due to global market shifts impacting its businesses, Dow has been migrating and consolidating operations to other locations in the U.S. and the world. These changes have created available assets in the Kanawha Valley, Fowler said.

The initiative for the research campus was led by WVU beginning in early 2006 with the desire to expand its research capabilities and aid economic development in the Charleston area.

“In recent years, the importance of economic development and economic diversification to our state has become increasingly evident,” Hardesty said. “Research is often associated with job growth and diversification. It is our hope that the creation of a research park by WVU in Charleston will draw jobs and dollars to the Greater Kanawha Valley and help to strengthen the overall economy of West Virginia.”

WVU Provost Gerald Lang and Vice President for Research and Economic Development John Weete led the effort on behalf of the University, Hardesty noted. Closing of the donation transaction is expected to be complete by early fall.

Caption: Union Carbide Corp. (UCC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company (Dow), and WVU signed an agreement Monday that will establish a research campus on 58 acres of donated property located at UCC's Technology Park in South Charleston. The agreement also includes the donation of several research and development laboratories to the University, including a 125,000 square foot building currently in use as a multi-tenant research and development incubator.

Business, Science, Technology and Research Communities to Hold Statewide Symposium in September

West Virginia's business, science, technology and research communities will gather at the statewide Science, Technology and Research (STaR) Symposium at the Waterfront Hotel in Morgantown on Sept. 17-18 to share developments, ideas and collaborations.

Symposium sessions will focus on the national and state outlooks for science, technology and research; technology-based economic development; cutting-edge research being conducted in West Virginia; commercialization of intellectual property; and the role of the state's Vision 2015 strategic plan for science and technology.

The program will feature Dr. Kathie Olsen, deputy director of the National Science Foundation; Kelley Goes, cabinet secretary of the West Virginia Division of Commerce; James Estep, president and CEO of the West Virginia High Technology Consortium Foundation; university presidents Mike Garrison of West Virginia University, Stephen Kopp of Marshall University and James Ramsey of the University of Louisville; Dr. Thomas Bowles, science advisor to the governor of New Mexico; leading scientists from West Virginia colleges and universities; Marianne Clarke, director of the Washington office of Battelle Technology Partnership Practice; and Stephen Turner, president and CEO of West Virginia high-tech company Protea Biosciences Inc.

Special guest speaker Dr. Steve Squyres, principal investigator of the Mars Exploration Rover Mission and author of "Roving Mars," will give a multimedia presentation, "The Journey to Mars: A Personal Account," at a dinner on Monday evening. In addition, college and university undergraduate and graduate students will be presenting their research in a competition designed to recognize the "Student Researcher of the Year."

The symposium registration fee is $75/person. After the early registration deadline of Aug. 20, the fee is $100. A complete schedule, as well as online registration and hotel reservations, is available on the symposium website at http://www.blogger.com/www.starsymposium.org. For more information, contact Ginny Painter at ginny.painter@wvepscor.org or (304) 558-4128, ext. 6.

Sponsors of the STaR Symposium include the Charleston Area Alliance, Fairmont State University, Marshall University, NASA IV & V Facility, NASA West Virginia Space Grant Consortium, National Science Foundation, West Liberty State College, West Virginia Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (WVEPSCoR), West Virginia High Technology Consortium Foundation, West Virginia Independent Colleges & Universities Inc., West Virginia University, West Virginia University Institute of Technology and West Virginia Wesleyan College.

President Signs COMPETES Act

Equipping teachers, educating students, investing in research and stimulating America's economy are the goals of H.R. 2272, the America COMPETES Act, a bill signed into law this morning by President Bush at the White House.

"We have to recognize there are roughly seven billion people in the world, half of whom make less than $2 a day. We cannot and would not want to compete with that," said House Science & Technology Committee Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN). "We have to compete at a higher level with a better equipped and skilled workforce than that of our global counterparts."

The bill, which will help secure the U.S.'s ability to compete in the global marketplace, was steered through Congress by Gordon and Congressional leaders based upon the recommendations of the National Academies' 2005 report, "Rising Above the Gathering Storm."

Chairman Gordon, former Rep. Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY), Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) requested that report, which found that the U.S. could stand to lose its competitive edge over other nations unless action was taken.

Among the report's findings were that 68 percent of eighth graders received math instruction from a teacher with no degree or certification in math; and 93 percent of children in grades five through nine received physical science instruction from a teacher with no degree or certification in the field. The report also found that less than a third of 4th and 8th grade students are proficient in math.

To address these problems, The COMPETES Act authorizes $33..6 billion over fiscal years 2008-2010 for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education programs across the federal government. The measure authorizes multiple grant programs to help educate current and future teachers in the areas of science and math education. The bill also invests in basic research and supports young researchers by expanding early career grant programs.

"This bill will not only give our teachers and students the support they need, but it also advances our efforts to become energy independent. This will create new jobs and new exports," Gordon said.

The bill establishes the Advanced Research Projects-Agency (ARPA-E) designed to engage in high-risk, high reward energy research under the Department of Energy (DOE) - the first major energy provision approved by Congress this session.

The bill further supports basic research by setting budgets at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the National Science Foundation and the DOE Office of Science on a path to doubling within the near term.

"This is not just an idle thought for those of us who have kids and grandkids. I am very concerned that the next generation of Americans can be the first generation of Americans to inherit a national standard of living less than their parents if we don't do something," Gordon said. "This bill will help turn that corner."


For more information, contact Alisha Prather at alisha.prather@mail.house.gov.