Discovery Corps Postdoctoral Fellowship: Preparing Inquiring Minds for a Hydrogen-Powered Future

菲利普韦曼，密苏里州，圣路易斯大学，是一个发现军团博士后研究员为2006-2007和2007-2008学年。 韦曼的研究考察了蓝藻通过固氮酶产生氢，固氮酶也起着氢化酶的作用。 他提出了一种随机和定点诱变的分子生物学方法，以阻断或清除固氮酶中的底物转运通道，并测量对氢产生与氮还原的影响。 韦曼通过开发四个新的课程单元，探索全球变暖，氢和燃料电池，将这项研究与UMSL现有的GK-12项目相结合。 这些单位将被设计为加强高中化学，生物和环境科学教室的科学探究。高中教师也将被邀请在UMSL暑期实习期间学习分子和生物化学技术。 这个发现军团博士后奖学金是由化学部，多学科活动办公室，和GK-12计划在研究生教育部的支持。探索军团奖学金计划是一项试点计划，旨在寻求新的博士后和专业发展模式，将联合收割机研究专业知识与专业服务相结合。探索团研究员通过解决国家需求领域的项目利用他们的研究专长。他们的项目提高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。探索队计划支持博士后研究员和高级研究员。

Philip Weyman, University of Missouri, St. Louis, is a Discovery Corps Postdoctoral Fellow for the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 academic years. Weyman's research examines cyanobacterial hydrogen production via the nitrogenase enzyme which also functions as a hydrogenase. He proposes a molecular biology approach of random and site-directed mutagenesis to block or clear a substrate transport channel in the nitrogenase and to measure the impact on hydrogen production vs. nitrogen reduction. Weyman pairs this research with an existing GK-12 program based at UMSL by developing four new curricular units exploring global warming, hydrogen, and fuel cells. The units will be designed to reinforce scientific inquiry in high school chemistry, biology, and environmental science classrooms. High school teachers will also be invited to learn molecular and biochemical techniques during summer internships at UMSL. This Discovery Corps Postdoctoral Fellowship is supported by the Division of Chemistry, the Office of Multidisciplinary Activities, and the GK-12 Program in the Division of Graduate Education. 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.