MRI: Acquisition of Elemental Stable Isotope Chemistry (ESIC) Mass Spectrometer

PIs要求资助元素稳定同位素化学（ESIC）质谱仪。该仪器将服务于南德克萨斯州，这是一个地理上、社会经济上和教育上孤立的地区。ESIC是生态系统级研究和应用环境评价的现代要求。在生物、地质和环境科学领域，IRMS提供了对关键地球循环的先进科学理解。此外，它还是确定人为对环境健康影响的主要评估工具，有助于制定管理生态系统的有效战略。ESIC将通过美国国家科学基金会资助的研究协调网络（RCN）——半干旱地区的气候、能源、环境和参与，加强六个南德克萨斯州西班牙裔服务研究所（HSI）的环境研究和STEM教育。更广泛的影响：该提案的资金将极大地增加未被充分代表的西班牙裔人获得尖端研究工具的机会，因为使用质谱将被纳入许多课程。有关IRMS和稳定同位素生物地球化学的培训将纳入课程作业，以提高受影响的当地学生的技术熟练程度，并总体上改善南德克萨斯州的研究基础设施。该工具预计将促进与南德克萨斯州其他六个西班牙裔服务机构的合作和培训机会。预计该文书还将改善多个为西班牙裔服务的机构的教员和学生征聘工作。

The PIs request funding for an elemental stable isotope chemistry (ESIC) mass spectrometer. This instrument will serve South Texas, a geographically, socio-economically and educationally isolated region. The ESIC is a modern requirement for ecosystem-level research and applied environmental assessment. In the fields of biological, geological and environmental sciences IRMS provides advanced scientific understanding of key earth cycles. In addition, it is a primary assessment tool to determine anthropogenic influences on environmental health, enabling development of effective strategies to manage ecosystems. The ESIC will enhance environmental research and STEM education at six South Texas Hispanic Serving Institutes (HSI) through the NSF-funded Research Coordination Network (RCN) - Climate, Energy, Environment and Engagement in Semiarid Regions.Broader Impacts: Funding of this proposal will dramatically increase access of cutting edge research tools to underrepresented Hispanics, as use of the mass spec will be incorporated into many classes. Training on the IRMS and stable isotope biogeochemistry will be incorporated into coursework, bolstering the technical proficiency of the impacted local student population and generally improving the research infrastructure in South Texas. The instrument is expected to foster collaborations and training opportunities with six other Hispanic-Serving Institutions in South Texas. The instrument is also anticipated to improve faculty and student recruitment at multiple Hispanic-serving institutions.