Research news: Research dollars are getting tight, so agencies are tightening their processes

With federal research funds declining, agencies are streamlining and tightening up their review procedures.  Getting the proposal right the first time has never been more important.  What does this mean for you?  We have answers for you in the next issue of the research newsletter.  It will arrive in the mailboxes of faculty and grad students soon, but it’s available today right here through the PDF below.

Other items of interest: an overview of A&T’s research compliance committees on human subjects, animal care and use, biosafety and radiation safety; news of a new requirement from NSF on data sharing; and July and August funding awards.

NEWSLETTER — 2010-09 Final

Supplement — Research compliance committees membership lists 2010-09

Supplement — Links to NSF data-sharing information 2010-09

Moses Cone-Wesley Long foundation gets new name and new, narrowed mission

Health-related grant-seekers, take note: The Moses Cone-Wesley Long Community Health Foundation has a new mission and (thankfully) a shorter name.

The organization is now known as the Cone Health Foundation.  It has narrowed its focus to four areas: access to healthcare, HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections, adolescent pregnancy prevention, and substance abuse/mental health.  It also will become more active as an advocate for public policy to promote health.

More information is available on the foundation’s website, http://www.conehealthfoundation.com/, and in this short item from The Business Journal: Foundation takes new name, mission – The Business Journal of the Greater Triad Area

All you need to know about the $2.5 billion and other help available for research innovators

Researchers who have created innovations with commercial potential — and those who will in the future — have an opportunity next week to learn all about funding and other assistance available to help them commercialize their work and get it into the marketplace.

The Office of Technology Transfer will hold a workshop titled, “SBIR/STTR: Funding your Innovation,” on the federal SBIR/STTR program on Thursday, October 7, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., in the Fort IRC, Room 410.  Speakers will include two SBIR/STTR specialists from the Small Business and Technology Development Center.  Registration is online at www.sbtdc.org/events/sbir/workshops2010/index.html#register. Details are in the PDF below.

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program are competitive programs created to ensure that small, high-tech, innovative businesses are a significant part of federal research and development efforts. Eleven federal departments participate in the SBIR program; five departments participate in the STTR program awarding $2.5 billion to small high-tech businesses. The programs are run by the Small Business Administration.  The NSF administers the SBIR.GOV site on behalf of the federal government.

OTT — SBIR-STTR Workshop Agenda 10-7-2010

Four undergraduates honored for outstanding research presentations

Undergraduate researchers, from left, Adrian Ambrose, Shauna Adams, Jasmine Brooks and Matthew Stanco.

Research on antimicrobial agents, arthritis, thermal conductivity, and ultrasonic vibration has won recognition for four undergraduates.

The students were honored for their presentations at the university’s first Undergraduate Research Symposium, held on September 22.

Shauna Adams received the Best Presentation Award for “Longitudinal Heat Transport as a Method for the Determination of Thermal Conductivity.”  Adams is a senior from Hampton, Virginia, majoring in mechanical engineering.  Her advisor is Dr. John Kizito.

Matthew Stanco was named runner-up for “Measurement of Ultrasonic Vibration Using Ultra-High Frequency CCD Laser.”  Stanco is a senior from High Point, majoring in industrial engineering.  His advisor is Dr. Zhichao Li.

Adrian Ambrose received the Best Poster Award for “The Effects of Age on the Progression of Osteoarthritis and the Gene Expression in Mice.”  Ambrose is a junior biology major from Roanoke, Virginia.  His advisor is Dr. Greg Goins.

Jasmine Brooks was the poster category runner-up for “Evaluation of Select Plant Essential Oils as Potential Antimicrobials.”  Brooks is a senior from Knightdale, majoring in food science.  Her advisor is Dr. Ipek Goktepe.

Join CERT at the Making Energy Work conference next Thursday

An invitation to students, faculty and staff from the Center for Energy Research & Technology:

Please join us at the Making Energy Work conference on Thursday, September 30th at the Benton Convention Center in downtown Winston-Salem.  The conference will feature regional and national energy experts from GE, US Dept. of Energy, Apex Wind Energy, NC’s Energy Policy Council, NC Dept. of Commerce, NC Solar Center/DSIRE, USGBC, SJF Ventures, UNC’s School of Government, and many more. Great learning and networking opportunities for you and other attendees! Learn more and Register to attend at: http://www.energync.org. Online registration ends on Mon., Sept. 27th at noon.  (If space allows, walk-up registrations will be taken at the event; please check NCSEA’s website for availability.)  the event is hosted by one of the state’s major energy organizations, the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association.

Two big events for researchers this week

Two significant events are coming up for Aggie researchers on Wednesday and Friday.

On Wednesday, the Office of Undergraduate Research will host the first North Carolina A&T Undergraduate Research Symposium from 9 am. to 5 p.m. in Fort 410.  Details are in the post immediately below.  Come join us in supporting our undergraduates!  Come for any part of the day or the whole thing — we hope to see you there.

On Friday, another first — the DORED Cook Out.  Interim Vice Chancellor Celestine Ntuen and the DORED staff are hosting lunch for all faculty and graduate students on the front lawn of the Fort IRC from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Hot dogs hamburgers, veggie burgers and drinks are on the menu.  Please come by and enjoy an outdoor lunch with the DORED staff.  Friday’s forecast: Sunny with a high of 92!  See you there!

DORED Cook Out flyer September 24, 2010

Agenda posted for Undergraduate Research Symposium

A&T’s first Undergraduate Research Symposium will be held Wednesday September 22.  The agenda is posted below as a PDF document. Students will be presenting from 9:45 a.m. to noon and 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. For those who can’t join us for the entire event, the Division of Research encourages you to drop in for any part that you can attend.

In addition to 45 or so student presenters, speakers will include Dr. John W. Hardin, executive director of the N.C. Office of Science & Technology; and Dr. Alan Letton, interim associate vice chancellor for research and dean of graduate studies.  Chancellor Harold L. Martin, Sr.; Provost Linda T. Adams; and Dr. Celestine A. Ntuen, interim vice chancellor for research & economic development, also will speak.

The symposium broadens the opportunity for A&T undergraduates to engage in scholarly activity in a way that previously has been mostly reserved for graduate students.  And it’s a great opportunity for faculty, staff and grad students to support the next generation of Aggie researchers.  Please join us on Wednesday!

2010 Undergraduate Research Symposium Program

Training scheduled for new animal-care application process

The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee has scheduled training for its new electronic application for proposed animal research.  Use of the new system will become mandatory on November 1.  Training will be on Monday September 27th in the Fort IRC, Room 410.  One-hour sessions will be held throughout the day, starting at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.  Anyone using or expecting to use animal models in research, teaching, testing or demonstration should attend this training.  To sign up, go to  http://www.doodle.com/gwxwdr6wupu97rak

Contact Dr. Tonya R. Hargett, Compliance Officer, at trharget@ncat.edu or 334-7995 for additional information.

First International Conference on Green & Sustainable Technology to be held in Greensboro

How can existing buildings be made green?  What forms of green energy will be economically, environmentally and technologically viable?  What are the appropriate business strategies and government regulations for green manufacturing?  How can we train and mobilize the energy industry workforce for a green future?

A wide variety of energy professionals, researchers and students will come together in November to consider these and related questions at the First International Conference on Green and Sustainable Technology: Research and Workforce Development.

The conference is organized by the Center for Energy Research & Technology (CERT) at North Carolina A&T.  It will be held in Greensboro on Thursday November 18 and Friday November 19.  The location will be the Proximity Hotel, the first LEED Platinum-certified hotel in the United States.

“This is an opportunity for architects, contractors, engineers, energy entrepreneurs, building owners, government officials – anyone who is concerned with energy conservation, alternative forms of energy, and the energy workforce of the future,” said Dr. Harmohindar Singh, director of CERT.

Keynote speakers at the conference will include Roger Ebbage, an international instructor in energy management and director of the Northwest Energy Education Institute at Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon; Benjamin Goldstein, Recovery through Retrofit Coordinator, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy; and Dr. Julianne Malveaux, economist and president of Bennett College.

Details on the event can be found at http://greenconference.ncat.edu.  Early registration runs through October 8.  Deadline for submission of papers to be presented is September 15.  Dr. Frank Yeboah of the N.C. A&T Department of Construction Management will edit the conference proceedings.

Presentations and discussions at the conference will focus on four areas: green buildings, green energy, green manufacturing, and workforce development.  Speakers include researchers and professionals from across the country and around the world.

Sponsors of the event include the American Association of Blacks in Energy, Bennett College, the Freedom Systems Center at N.C. State University, North Carolina A&T, the North Carolina Community Development Initiative Inc., the North Carolina State Energy Office, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and the Proximity Hotel.

The conference is co-chaired by Dean Winser Alexander of the N.C. &T College of Engineering and Dean Benjamin Obinero Uwakweh of the N.C. A&T School of Technology.

Professional development hours for engineers will be offered.

South African group visits A&T

A&T junior Darian Bridges (in red shirt) tells visitors from South Africa about the A&T Eco-Car, which runs on a hydrogen battery, on Monday in the lobby of the Fort IRC.

The Center for Energy Research & Technology and the Division of Research are hosting a group of business, economic development and investment executives from South Africa today.  The group is in Greensboro to discuss opportunities for energy research and education with A&T, Bennett College and the American Association of Blacks in Energy.  The South African group will meet with Chancellor Harold L. Martin Sr., Bennett President Julianne Malveaux and Dr. Celestine Ntuen, A&T’s interim vice chancellor for research and economic development, in Washington on Wednesday.