South Dakota Rushmore Initiative for Excellence in Research

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The South Dakota "Rushmore Initiative for Excellence in Research" will feature infrastructure enhancements in three targeted areas: (a) The Center for Biocomplexity Studies will be a collaborative, interdisciplinary effort to study the ecosystems of the Northern Great Plains and their sensitivity to internal and external forcings; (2) Materials and Processes of the 21st Century will focus on microelectronic materials and devices, structured nanocomposites and photodynamics; and (3) Molecular and Cellular Biology Core Facilities will build expertise in bioinformatics and proteomics. In addition, a Scientific Visualization and Information Technologies Core will be established, providing a visualization network to the participating universities. South Dakota State University, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, and the University of South Dakota will collaborate in the various activities and programs to implement new strategies designed to build public support for research and integrate it into the state's technological future. Infrastructure support for these targeted areas will include new faculty start up packages, postdoctoral and graduate student fellowships, support for undergraduates, conference support and various outreach activities in education and economic development to involve a broader constituency in the process of science and discovery. The combination of these activities will contribute to enhancing South Dakota's research competitiveness.