NSF-RISE: Enhancement of Research and Educational Infrastructure in Materials Science and Engineering at Tuskegee University

NSF-RISE：加强塔斯基吉大学材料科学与工程领域的研究和教育基础设施

• 批准号: 1137682
• 负责人: Shaik Jeelani
• 金额: $ 100万
• 依托单位: Tuskegee University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2011
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2011-09-01 至 2014-08-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1137682&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: NSF; RISE; Enhancement; Research; Educational

Through a new HBCU Research Infrastructure in Science and Engineering award, Tuskegee University (TU) proposes to elevate its Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) program to a higher level so that its impact may considerably be broadened. The project will implement a three-part program that will (a) Enhance research capability in synthesis and characterization of nanoparticles for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications; (b) Develop a cohort of students not only at the Ph.D. level but also at the Master's level so that they can be nurtured and motivated to continue their studies in the Ph.D. program; and (c) Provide seed funds for younger faculty members to enable them to become active in research and education in MSE. Through earlier Center for Research Excellence in Science and Technology (CREST) and other grants funded through the National Science Foundation, Tuskegee University (TU) has developed a robust research and educational program in Materials Science and Engineering and initiated its first Ph.D. program in MSE. TU has now become the largest producer of African American PhDs in MSE. In an effort to provide sustained support for and commitment to this program, the TU administration has established the Department of MSE, which is the only department at a Historically Black University.Intellectual Merit The proposed research activities include chemical synthesis and analysis, surface analysis, processing, and performance evaluation of a variety of nanobiomaterials. The processes and knowledge developed through this research will help in fields such as drug delivery and pharmaceutical applications. These research activities are expected to generate new knowledge about the interaction of nanoparticles with biological systems and compatibility in developing new drug delivery systems. Another outcome of this research is in developing the new multifunctional polymer composites. Implementation of a Master's degree program in MSE will allow Tuskegee to serve a larger number of students who wish to complete a Master's degree in MSE before joining the Ph.D. Program. This will also enhance the quality of students entering the Ph.D. program. Offering start-up funds to junior STEM faculty and pairing them with seasoned faculty members for effective mentoring will enable them to develop their research expertise in nanobiomaterials. Broader impact The broader impacts of this project include production of a large number of African Americans with baccalaureate through doctorate degrees with a strong background in the emerging areas of materials science and engineering. These students will be trained to have excellent communication and interpersonal skills as well. Such graduates should become role models for many young minority students in years to come. Moreover, these graduates will help bring much-needed diversity to the Nation's advanced technological workforce. The "Start-Up Funds for Junior Faculty" program will address the issue of shortage of minority faculty in MSE, particularly, in nanobiomaterials science and engineering. The research findings are expected to contribute significantly to the science and technology knowledge base of nanobiomaterials. Broader societal impact includes improved capabilities in biomedical and pharmaceutical fields.

通过新的HBCU科学与工程研究基础设施奖，塔斯基吉大学(TU)建议将其材料科学与工程(MSE)项目提升到更高水平，以便其影响可能会显著扩大。该项目将实施一个由三部分组成的计划，该计划将(A)提高用于生物医学和制药应用的纳米颗粒的合成和表征方面的研究能力；(B)培养一批不仅是博士水平而且也是硕士水平的学生，以便他们能够得到培养并激励他们继续博士项目的学习；以及(C)为年轻教员提供种子基金，使他们能够积极参与MSE的研究和教育。塔斯基吉大学(TU)通过早期的科学与技术卓越研究中心(CREST)和其他由国家科学基金会资助的赠款，在材料科学和工程方面制定了强有力的研究和教育计划，并在MSE启动了第一个博士项目。TU现在已经成为MSE中最大的非裔美国博士研究生。为了对这一计划提供持续的支持和承诺，TU政府成立了MSE系，这是历史上唯一的黑人大学。智力价值拟议的研究活动包括各种纳米生物材料的化学合成和分析、表面分析、加工和性能评估。通过这项研究开发的过程和知识将有助于药物输送和药物应用等领域。这些研究活动预计将产生关于纳米颗粒与生物系统的相互作用以及在开发新的药物输送系统方面的兼容性的新知识。这项研究的另一个成果是开发了新型多功能聚合物复合材料。在MSE实施硕士学位计划将使Tuskegee能够为更多希望在进入博士课程之前完成MSE硕士学位的学生服务。这也将提高进入博士项目的学生的质量。向初级STEM教员提供启动资金，并将他们与经验丰富的教员配对进行有效指导，将使他们能够发展他们在纳米生物材料方面的研究专长。更广泛的影响这个项目的更广泛的影响包括培养出大量拥有学士学位和博士学位的非裔美国人，他们在新兴的材料科学和工程领域具有很强的背景。这些学生还将接受良好的沟通和人际交往能力的培训。这样的毕业生应该在未来几年成为许多年轻少数民族学生的榜样。此外，这些毕业生将有助于为国家的先进技术劳动力带来亟需的多样性。“初级教师启动基金”计划将解决MSE少数民族教师短缺的问题，特别是纳米生物材料科学和工程方面的教师短缺问题。这一研究成果有望为纳米生物材料的科学技术知识库做出重大贡献。更广泛的社会影响包括提高生物医学和制药领域的能力。