The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission’s Division of Science and Research has announced the recipients of state-wide scientific research grants.
A $45,000 Innovation Grant was awarded to Joanna Webb from West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC) so that she may acquire an Anasazi 90-MHz Permanent Magnet FT-NMR Spectrometer that will enhance educational opportunities at WVWC. The purpose of the Innovation Grant award program is to foster creative improvements to scientific equipment and facilities, curriculum, classroom instruction or delivery.
Six Instrumentation Grants were awarded to faculty members at colleges and universities statewide. This grant program is designed to encourage undergraduate students in West Virginia to continue careers in science, math and engineering and gives faculty members the opportunity to purchase modern instruments which advances undergraduate education. Primarily undergraduate colleges and universities in the state are eligible to apply. The following faculty members received an Instrumentation Grant.
- Tesfaye Belay from Bluefield State College (BSC) received $19,500 for the acquisition of NanoDrop and Proflex PCR System for instructing forensic science and research at BSC.
- Tracey DeLaney from WVWC received $8,500 to purchase instructional radio telescopes.
- Rico Gazal from Glenville State College received $14,020 for plant-water instrumentation for undergraduate courses in forest ecology and forest management.
- Kenan Hatipoglu from West Virginia University Institute of Technology received $20,000 to develop an integrated electro-mechanical energy conversion system.
- Stephen Kuehn from Concord University received $20,000 for upgrades to Concord’s microanalysis facilities.
- Sara Souther from WVWC received $20,000 for increasing retention in the sciences through early student engagement in biological research.
The Division of Science and Research administers these state -level scientific research grants in the state in addition to directing the EPSCoR program in West Virginia. The division provides strategic leadership for infrastructure advancement and development of competitive research opportunities in STEM disciplines. For more information, visit www.wvresearch.org.