Discovery Corps Senior Fellowship: Expanding the Impact of Green Chemistry and Developing Green Products in Nigeria

霍华德大学的约瑟夫·福图纳克是2006-2007学年探索兵团的高级研究员。福图纳克提出了一个国际项目，该项目将探索尼日利亚一个行业利用象草和其他生物可再生资源生产食品级和药用级微晶纤维素的可行性。该项目的目标包括开发生产微晶纤维素的绿色工艺；研究从尼日利亚纤维素生物质中提取的新产品；以及刺激西非的绿色化学教育和制造业。这项发现团高级奖学金由化学部、多学科活动办公室以及国际科学和工程办公室的非洲、近东和南亚项目提供支持。探索军团奖学金计划是一个试点计划，寻求将研究专业知识与专业服务相结合的新的博士后和专业发展模式。探索兵团研究员通过解决国家需求领域的项目来利用他们的研究专长。他们的项目增强了研究能力和基础设施，并有助于劳动力发展和创造就业机会。探索团队计划同时支持博士后研究员和高级研究员。

Joseph Fortunak, Howard University, is a Discovery Corps Senior Fellow for the 2006-2007 academic year. Fortunak proposes an international project that would explore the feasibility of an industry in Nigeria to produce food- and pharmaceutical-grade microcrystalline cellulose from elephant grass and other biorenewable resources. The goals of the project include developing green processes for the production of microcrystalline cellulose; research new products derived from Nigerian cellulose biomass; and stimulate Green Chemistry education and manufacturing in West Africa. This Discovery Corps Senior Fellowship is supported by the Division of Chemistry, the Office of Multidisciplinary Activities, and the Africa, Near East and South Asia Program of the Office of International Science and Engineering. The Discovery Corps Fellowship Program is a pilot program seeking new postdoctoral and professional development models that combine research expertise with professional service. Discovery Corps Fellows leverage their research expertise through projects that address areas of national need. Their projects enhance research capacity and infrastructure and contribute to workforce development and job creation. The Discovery Corps Program supports both Postdoctoral Fellows and Senior Fellows.