Proposals to expand collaborative research awarded first 4-VA grants
Dr. Jerry Benson, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs (from left), Dr. Robert McKown, professor of integrated science and technology, Dr. Costel Constantin, assistant professor of physics and astronomy, Dr. Nathan T. Wright, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry and Dr. Christine May, assistant professor of biology were joined by President Jonathan Alger at the awards ceremony in the new bioscience building.
Researchers from four JMU science and technology departments
are the first recipients of 4-VA mini grants.
The grants, which range from $1,000-$5,000, could be awarded
as often as once a quarter—subject to funding availability and qualified
proposals—to support faculty efforts that contribute to 4-VA initiatives
related to research and instruction. Potential outcomes include shared courses,
redesigned courses or collaborative research projects.
The first recipients are:
- Dr.
Costel Constantin, assistant professor of physics and astronomy, who
received $5,000 for a collaborative research proposal that will develop and
increase the research capacity for research teams at JMU and U.Va. The
collaboration is expected to enhance JMU's ability to motivate students to
pursue advanced degrees in physics and engineering. In addition, the grant will constitute seed
money for external funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and other
available funding agencies.
- Dr.
Nathan T. Wright, assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry, who
received $5,000 for an initial effort to foster collaboration between two
protein structure labs at JMU and a bacterial pathogen lab at U.Va. The work
generated from the grant will be used as preliminary data for a larger
NIH-directed grant.
- Dr.
Christine May, assistant professor of biology, who received $5,000 to conduct
a one-day mountain stream symposium to bring together scientists, agency
representatives, policy makers and educators to provide a state-of-the-science
update on mountain stream ecosystems in the central Appalachians and formalize
a research partnership focused on Virginia trout streams. The symposium will serve
as a catalyst for interest in the development of an interpretive science and
research center and spark interest in new collaborators.
- Dr.
Robert McKown, professor of integrated science and technology, who received
$3,900 to create a new collaboration with the Virginia-Maryland Regional
College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech to investigate the feasibility
of using a canine model animal system to study the physiology of ocular
lacritin and potentially treat canine dry eye disorders. The safe and effective
use of lacritin for treatment of dry eye in an animal model system would help
advance development of this drug into human clinical trials.
The 4-VA consortium was organized in 2010 in an effort to
meet the needs of the Commonwealth identified by the Governor’s Higher
Education Commission and his Jobs Commission. The consortium consists of JMU, George
Mason University, University of Virginia and Virginia Tech.
JMU is the first of the consortium members to offer the mini
grants, which are funded by the state. Faculty can apply for the grants any
time. Awards will be made the last week of July, October, January and May.
More information about the program, including an
application, can be found at http://www.jmu.edu/4-va/resources-for-faculty.shtml.
