2005 - 2008 Kentucky NSF EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Initiatives (RII)
NANOTECHNOLOGY
Primary Location(s): University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, Kentucky State University
EPSCoR Support: $5,690,214 (over 3 years)
Award Length: June 2005 – May 2008
Project Leader(s): Dr. Zhi Chen (UK), Dr. Bruce Alphenaar (UofL), Dr. Rony Shahidain (KSU)
The KY NSF EPSCoR is providing support to develop a world-class environment for nanotechnology research in Kentucky. KY NSF EPSCoR is supporting three collaborative research teams at the University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, and Kentucky State University to develop and equip cleanroom facilities; support new faculty and staff hires; and create new courses to enhance educational outreach. The research focus of these groups centers on micro-fabrication of devices in four main areas: electronics, sensors, materials, and biotechnology.
VISUALIZATION AND VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENTS
Primary Location: University of Kentucky
EPSCoR Support: $2,175,000 (over 3 years)
Award Length: June 2005 – May 2008
Project Leader: Dr. Kevin Donohue
The University of Kentucky Center for Visualization and Virtual Environments evolved from the NSF-funded Metaverse Project coordinated by the UK Laboratory for Advanced Networking. Initial support and funding for the Center was provided by the Kentucky Office of the New Economy, the UK College of Engineering, the UK Department of Computer Science, and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Within the area of its research mission, the Center contributes to the New Economy of the Commonwealth of Kentucky through education and training programs, partnerships with industry and governmental agencies, and commercialization of intellectual property produced by the research.
KY NSF EPSCoR is providing funding to further develop the Center’s research infrastructure and support two new research projects in the areas of ambient visualization and multi-modal scene acquisition.
The VVE web link is: http://www.vis.uky.edu/
METABOLOMICS
Primary Location: University of Louisville
EPSCoR Support: $2,425,000 (over 3 years)
Award Length: June 2005 – May 2008
Project Leader: Dr. Teresa Fan
KY NSF EPSCoR is supporting the development of a new Center for Regulatory and Environmental Analytical Metabolomics (CREAM) on the University of Louisville campus. CREAM is developing cutting-edge methodologies and approaches for metabolomic and system biochemical research—an area with the promise of revolutionizing biological research by offering new insights into understanding complex biological systems. Metabolomics research has a variety of applications in a broad array of areas—ranging from human health and biotechnology, to environmental pollution and ecosystem health.
KY NSF EPSCoR support will provide state-of-the-art equipment for the new center and support the hiring of new faculty, staff, and students.
The CREAM web link is: http://research.louisville.edu/metabolomics
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
Primary Location(s): Eastern Kentucky University, University of Kentucky
EPSCoR Support: $1,110,911 (over 3 years)
Award Length: June 2005 – May 2008
Project Leader(s): Dr. Alice Jones (EKU), Dr. Danita LaSage (EKU), Dr. Gail Brion (UK)
Previous EPSCoR funding helped establish the Kentucky Environmental Research and Education Consortium (KEREC), a multi-university alliance with shared laboratory and field stations. This initiative also created the Environmental Research and Training Laboratory (ERTL) at the University of Kentucky and provided significant support for developing the infrastructure of the Center for Watershed Environments at Murray State University.
KY NSF EPSCoR is currently supporting two major environmental initiatives that will expand and synergize these previous investments by enhancing environmental research, outreach, and education in rural regions of Kentucky. The new initiatives consist of establishing a regional center of excellence, the Environmental Research Institute (ERI) at Eastern Kentucky University and supporting student research projects through collaborations with the Kentucky Geological Survey and the Tracy Farmer Center for the Environment. These efforts will encourage students to pursue science careers and improve the quality of life for the people in the Commonwealth while building infrastructure extending into underserved regions of Kentucky.
Click on the links below to watch short videos about some of the positive outcomes and follow-on projects that have resulted from this EPSCoR-sponsored initiative in environmental research.