Acquisition of Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometer and Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometer for Plant Biomarker Characterization and Isotopic Determinations

该奖项将资助购买一台气相色谱质谱仪和一台同位素比质谱仪，用于生物标志物的鉴定、量化和测量。植物蜡生物标志物作为活植物的保护涂层，并已证明有能力产生数十年至数百万年的地质证据。随着时间的推移，人们对跟踪碳循环的变化、生态系统的变化和水文气候的变化非常感兴趣。 南加州大学（USC）的这一小组的未来研究取决于老化仪器的更换。将特别侧重于中新世时期，人们日益认识到这一时期是未来气候变化的适当模拟环境。首席研究员寻求一个密集的水文气候和植被记录网络，以评估对全球变暖的反应。与此相关的是，通过将这种地质研究转化为现代植物-土壤连续体，以优化土壤碳固存并最大限度地减少植物用水量，从而了解食物-水-土壤关系。除了这些研究目标之外，新的分析能力还将使研究生，博士后研究人员和一些高级本科生能够在分析科学方面为职业做好准备，正如最近的实习生所展示的那样。首席研究员在为不同的STEM学员开发研究经验方面有着良好的记录，这些学员的职业兴趣与他们在南加州大学的生物化学实验室和分析经验有关，他们在学术，政府和企业部门的环境，食品和健康科学和工程领域找到了职业。与仪器相关的通信包括一个网页，其中包含实验室协议、脚本、零件清单和Youtube上的教学视频等资源，其中将添加新的内容视频，以支持下一代研究人员的发展。与圣莫尼卡学院（SMC）的一个新的本地连接，将提供灵活的双向指导和培训连接，建立对实验室仪器和研究问题的认识，以SMC学生，并提供项目管理和团队-该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并被认为是值得通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准。

This award will fund the acquisition of a gas chromatography mass spectrometer and an isotope ratio mass spectrometer for biomarker identification, quantification, and measurement. Plant wax biomarkers serve as a protective coating on living plants and have proven the capability to yield geological evidence spanning decades to millions of years. There is considerable interest in tracking changes in the carbon cycle through time, changes in ecosystems, and changes in hydroclimate. Future research of this group at the University of Southern California (USC) depends upon replacement of aging instrumentation. A particular focus will be on the Miocene time period, which is increasingly being recognized as a suitable analogue environment for future climate change. The principal investigator seeks a dense network of hydroclimate and vegetation records to assess response to global warmth. Allied to this will be understanding of the food-water-soil nexus via translational activities of this geological research to modern plant-soil continuums to optimize soil carbon sequestration and minimize plant water usage. In addition to these research objectives, the new analytical capability will enable hands-on learning for graduate students, postdoctoral researchers and some advanced undergraduate students toward career readiness in analytical sciences as demonstrated by recent placements of trainees. The principal investigator has a strong track record of developing research experiences for diverse STEM trainees with career interests related to their biogeochemistry laboratory and analytical experience at USC, that find careers in environmental, food and health sciences and engineering in academic, government and corporate sectors. Instrument related communications include a webpage with resources including laboratory protocols, scripts, parts list and instructional video on Youtube, to which new content videos will be added to support the development of the next generation of researchers. A new local connection with Santa Monica College (SMC), will offer flexible two-way mentoring and training connections, building awareness of laboratory instrumentation and research questions to SMC students, and providing project management and team-leading experience for USC graduate students towards career readiness.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.