Acquisition of Equipment for Enhancing Research and Educational Activities at Miles College
Abstract
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014 (enacted in 10 U.S.C. 2362) and the Department of Defense (DoD) Appropriations Act, 2014 designated approximately $26.0M to assist Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institutions (HBCU/MI) focused on research and education projects in scientific areas of interest to the DoD. The program provides for collaborative research with an investigator at another accredited institution of higher education or, alternatively, conducted by a single investigator working within a traditional single-institution environment. The program will support the acquisition of equipment/instrumentation necessary to conduct the research and requires student involvement. The program aims to (a) enhance research programs and capabilities in scientific and engineering disciplines critical to the national security functions of the DoD; (b) encourage greater participation by HBCU/MI in DoD research and education programs and activities; (c) increase the number of graduates, including underrepresented minorities, in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM); and (d) encourage research and educational collaboration with institutions of higher education. This proposal from Principal Investigator, Yanjie Sun, at Miles College, will provide new research capabilities and improve existing research capabilities in chemistry and biology that will significantly improve Miles CollegeÕs ability to pursue DoD-relevant research. This proposal provides a clear research plan complete with preliminary data for how requested equipment will be used in active research involving studies of the regulation and potential inhibitors of MTAN, an important enzyme in producing autoinducers, which are major components in quorum-sensing and biofilm formation. In addition, the instrumentation will be used in new curriculum for multiple chemistry and biology courses to enhance Miles CollegeÕs current STEM programs while also driving innovation in new STEM initiatives for interdisciplinary, hands-on, research-driven education. The proposal includes a comprehensive plan to build undergraduate studentsÕ education by helping them experience and contribute to actual research projects while simultaneously learning the required coursework. The investigators have detailed a plan for integrating the requested instrumentation into specific parts of the curriculum for courses ranging from introductory chemistry to independent research.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jan 12, 2017
- Source ID
- W911NF1510056
Entities
People
- Yanjie Sun
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- Miles College
- Office of the Secretary of Defense