Renovation of Research Laboratories in Biology, Geology, andChemistry

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9313475 Lewis The University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez continues to be committed to producing top minority students in science. The research faculty is not reluctant to having students participate in research activities, thus providing them with excellent research training opportunities. Nevertheless, the University has had difficulty in retaining highly qualified faculty due to the deteriorating conditions of research laboratories. Current conditions also limit the number of students able to participate in research activities. This award will provide funding for the renovations of specific research laboratories in the Departments of Biology, Geology and Chemistry that have negatively affected the recruitment and retention of faculty within the three departments. Renovations within the Department of Biology will affect five laboratories: Molecular Genetics, Botany, Cell Culture, Animal Behavior and Neotropical Systematic and Zoogeographic. Research activities pursued in these laboratories include: the study of molecular evolution through DNA sequencing, the population of endangered plant species, development of monoclonal immunoglobulins, and the biodiversity and behavior of invertebrates. The Experimental Geochemistry research space will be modernized to accommodate interdisciplinary studies that address quantitatively the conditions obtained during complex geological processes. Within the Department of Chemistry, the Wet Chemistry and Small Instrumentation laboratories will be renovated to support research projects relating to the biosynthesis, molecular photophysics, and photochemistry of natural products derived from tropical plants. Once the renovations are completed, the improved infrastructure will facilitate recruitment of faculty members who are dedicated to research and research training by helping to create an environment in which competitive research can be undertaken. ***