1/28/2010
CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Gov. Joe Manchin today presented nearly $3 million in state and federal grants to faculty from higher education institutions across West Virginia to help advance scientific research at West Virginia colleges and universities. The grants were funded through the state’s Research Trust Fund (“Bucks for Brains”) and Research Challenge Fund, the West Virginia Department of Education and the Arts, and the West Virginia IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (WV-INBRE).
The awards ceremony at the Culture Center was held in association with Undergraduate Research Day, an annual event at the State Capitol highlighting research projects conducted by college and university students from around the state. Presenting the grants, Manchin said scientific research is one of the cornerstones of West Virginia’s economic growth, noting that grants for research give the state a competitive edge and lead to new jobs and a more diverse economy.
“I wholeheartedly believe scientific research is one of the keys to West Virginia’s success,” Manchin said. “The right investments – like those we’re celebrating today – result in top researchers calling West Virginia home, high-tech job opportunities for West Virginians, and more young people pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. This is real momentum that points to a cutting-edge future for our state.”
The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (HEPC), Division of Science and Research, administers the Research Trust Fund and Research Challenge Fund, as well as other state grant programs and awards from the National Science Foundation.
“The groundbreaking research being conducted across our higher education system is vast and impressive, and it is laying the groundwork for technology-based economic development in West Virginia” said Higher Education Chancellor Brian Noland.
“The innovative spirit we’re celebrating today is one of the most fundamental reasons we will succeed tomorrow.”
Grants recognized today include the first two awards made possible by interest earned on the Research Trust Fund; Instrumentation Grants to fund scientific equipment for advanced undergraduate laboratories; Innovation Grants for creative improvements in scientific equipment and facilities, curriculum, classroom instruction or delivery; awards for the Governor’s School for Math and Science, a three-week summer program for outstanding math and science middle school students; and WV-INBRE grants that fund biomedical research. A complete list is attached.
Sponsors of Undergraduate Research Day include the HEPC’s Division of Science and Research, Council on Undergraduate Research, the NASA West Virginia Space Grant Consortium, and WV-INBRE. For more information about scientific research in West Virginia or the state’s strategic plan for science and technology, call (304) 558-4128 or visit www.wvresearch.org.
Awards
Research Trust Fund:
Institution, Amount, Principal Investigator
Concord University, $100,000, President Gregory Aloia
West Liberty University, $100,000, President Robin Capehart
Instrumentation Grants:
Institution, Amount, Principal Investigator
Glenville State College, $19,980, Dr. Sara Sawyer
Wheeling Jesuit University, $16,988, Dr. Andy Cook
West Virginia Wesleyan College, $20,000, Dr. Jeanne Sullivan
West Virginia University Institute of Technology, $19,909, Dr. Nan Wang
Innovation Grants:
Institution, Amount, Principal Investigator
Shepherd University, $40,000, Dr. Jeffrey Groff
West Virginia Wesleyan College, $40,000, Dr. Timothy Troyer
Governor’s School for Math and Science:
Institution, Amount, Principal Investigator
National Youth Science Foundation, $115,000, Dr. Andy Blackwood
West Virginia University, $115,000, Dr. Keith Garbutt
WV-INBRE:
Institution, Amount, Principal Investigator
Alderson-Broaddus College, $125,000 per year for three years, Dr. Yi Chen
West Liberty University, $125,000 per year for three years, Dr. Jarrett S. Aguilar
West Virginia State University, $125,000 per year for three years, Dr. Rob Harris
West Liberty University, $125,000 per year for three years, Dr. Robert Kreisberg
Wheeling Jesuit University, $125,000 per year for three years, Dr. Robert Shurina
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Alderson-Broaddus College, $25,000, Dr. Haitao Luo
Bethany College, $12,500, Dr. Dan Phillips
Bluefield State College, $75,000, Dr. Tesfaye Belay
Concord University, $25,000, Dr. Darrell Crick
University of Charleston, $10,000, Dr. Rebecca Linger
University of Charleston, $12,000, Dr. Michelle Herdman
University of Charleston, $12,750, Dr. Shawn Jones
University of Charleston, $14,052, Dr. Gagan Kaushal
University of Charleston, $15,000, Dr. Dean Reardon
University of Charleston, $15,000, Dr. Aladin Siddig
West Virginia State University, $14,596, Dr. Gerald Hankins
West Virginia Wesleyan College, $28,845, Dr. Melanie Sal
West Virginia Wesleyan College, $50,000, Drs. Timothy Troyer & Luke Huggins
West Virginia Wesleyan College, $50,000, Dr. Luke Huggins
Contact Information
Jessica Tice
304-558-4128 x 6