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Former KY NSF EPSCoR Director Heads New State Government Cabinet
July 8, 2008
Governor Steve Beshear recently appointed Dr. Leonard Peters, the first Director of the Kentucky NSF EPSCoR program, as secretary of Kentucky’s new state Energy and Environment Cabinet. The Governor called Peters “a perfect selection in helping balance energy needs with environmental concerns,” according to an article originally published in the Lexington-Herald Leader. The new Cabinet is being established by splitting the state’s current Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet. According to Peters, the Energy and Environment Cabinet will combine the former Department for Environmental Protection, Department for Natural Resource and Governor’s Office of Energy Policy. It will both regulate policy in these areas and guide new endeavors in energy development.
Dr. Peters began advancing the scientific interests of the Commonwealth in 1985 by helping develop, with support from then Lt. Governor Steve Beshear, a grant proposal for nearly $16.5 million for the National Science Foundation. That grant award resulted in the creation of both the Kentucky NSF EPSCoR program and UK’s Center for Computational Sciences. Dr. Peters further served as the first Director of the EPSCoR program and recruited Dr. John Connolly (the current EPSCoR Director) to the University’s new Center for Computational Sciences. In 1990, Dr. Peters turned over the responsibilities of the EPSCoR program to Dr. Connolly.
In total, Dr. Peters completed nearly 20 years of service at the University of Kentucky. His duties included professor of Engineering, Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Studies and Acting President for Research and Graduate Studies. He also chaired the chemical engineering department and oversaw the Kentucky Geological Survey and the Center for Applied Energy Research and other research centers.
Dr. Peters’ latest assignment, prior to his government appointment, was as Vice President of Global Laboratory Operations for Battelle Memorial Institute, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. While at Batelle, Peters headed the U.S. Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, Washington. His responsibilities included overseeing a budget of nearly $750 million and 4,200 scientists and support staff.
Now Dr. Peters has returned to Kentucky to help guide the Commonwealth forward in championing critical issues regarding energy and the environment. “[The Cabinet’s] goal is to develop an environmentally sound, comprehensive energy plan that contributes to our state’s economic development,” exclaimed Peters. He credits the Kentucky NSF EPSCoR program with paving the way for the progress that continues today. Peters stated, “The EPSCoR program provided a sense of importance for science and technology in Kentucky and technology-based economic development. It helped galvanize what we need to do in moving the Commonwealth forward and creating a culture change.”
EPSCoR Scientists Receive National Research Initiative Grant
May 19, 2008
EPSCoR researchers at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) have just been awarded a National Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program Award for over $323,000. The project, titled Watershed scale assessment of a karst drainage basin using microbial, geospatial, and geochemical approaches, will address the sources, fate and transport of pathogens (such as bacteria, protozoa, and viruses) in soil, surface and ground water, and irrigation systems of agricultural and rural watersheds to reduce zoonotic pathogens in the environment. These findings are critical in addressing the relevance of karst topography and its relative influence on the hydrogeology and water quality of the Brushy Creek watershed located in rural southeastern Kentucky.
Once a karst area becomes polluted, it is generally very difficult to remediate due to unusual surface and subsurface features, such as underground drainage systems that may flow very rapidly over long distances. The originality of the proposed research lies in combining the knowledge of the karst environment through dye traces, implementation and effects of best management practices, and application of microbial source tracking techniques. These techniques utilize Bacteroides for the determination of potential pathogenic organisms, such as Escherichia coli, to develop a management concept of approaching water quality issues in such unique and complex environmental systems. The combination of these aforementioned factors with nutrient analyses, fecal pathogen analysis, and GIS-generated maps will provide a detailed description of how and where pathogens move through a karst system and aid in the subsequent development of an effective management plan to address the water quality of such watersheds.
Dr. Sloane Ritchey, Environmental Scientist at the Eastern Kentucky Environmental Research Institute (ERI) at EKU, will function as the Principle Investigator for this 3 year award; beginning in July 2008. Dr. Ritchey’s service to the scientific community through the ERI was made possible by a 2005 Research Infrastructure Initiative (RII) award from the Kentucky NSF EPSCoR. That award funded her position and covered start-up costs for the ERI.
Watch a video about water quality in the Brushy Creek Watershed here.
EPSCoR Research Improves Kentucky Water Quality
May 19, 2008
KY NSF EPSCoR researchers at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) have secured a grant awarding nearly $250,000 for a project to assess water quality in eastern Kentucky communities. The Eastern Kentucky Environmental Research Institute (ERI), which was created with financial support from the KY NSF EPSCoR from 2005-2008, is conducting a year-long assessment of the Left Fork of Beaver Creek in Floyd and Knott Counties under contract with the Kentucky Division of Water (DOW). The year-long study is under the direction of EKU faculty member and ERI Director, Dr. Alice Jones. The project began in April 2007 and consists of one to two days of monthly water sampling at 24 sites throughout the watershed.
Data from this study will help the DOW develop a "total maximum daily load" or TMDL report for the watershed that will incorporate details of the impairment(s), watershed characteristics and a general implementation plan to address the impairments and improve conditions in the watershed. All impaired water bodies under this project are listed on the 2006 303(d) List of Waters for Kentucky for not meeting the designated-use standard for primary contact recreation (swimming) and/or warm water aquatic habitat.
This is the second of two TMDL studies the ERI has conducted under contract with DOW. The first, the Right Fork of Beaver Creek, began in March 2007, and final data collection will conclude in June of 2008. Total award funding for the Right Fork project was $246,927.
Although numerous TMDL studies have been conducted statewide, these two studies conducted by the ERI are the only two currently planned for the “coal country” region of Appalachian Kentucky, where suspected pollution sources include raw sewage from straight-pipes, failing septic systems and runoff from active and abandoned mines. Sewage impacts include nutrients and biological pathogens; mine impacts include extreme pH, excessive conductivity, sedimentation and siltation, and heavy metals.
Important ERI objectives for these projects are to provide a diverse group of undergraduate students with real-world experience in proper scientific practices and methods in watershed assessment and evaluation. The ERI also tries to help students develop a genuine understanding of the changing ecosystems in the Appalachian area. To date, the two projects have employed more than 25 undergraduate students as field research assistants from a variety of disciplines including environmental health sciences, agriculture, geography, mathematics, anthropology, sociology and biology. Recently, Dr. John Connolly, Director of the KY NSF EPSCoR accompanied Dr. Jones and her students for a field sampling exercise at Beaver Creek. “I really enjoyed talking to the students and the experience of trying different sampling techniques,” he remarked. Dr. Jones envisions involving even more students, staff and researchers in her activities prior to the end of the grant.
Watch a video about the Beaver Creek Watershed Assessment here.
STEM Rankings Reflect Kentucky's STEM Success in Education
April 15, 2008
Kentucky is among the top states in the nation in technology leadership according to a 2008 Technology Counts report. The report examines states' efforts at improving science, technology, engineering and math education (STEM). The rankings, which were reported in the March 2008 edition of Education Week, assess states' STEM progress in three areas: providing students access to technology, use of technology in students' education, and institutional and teacher capacity to use technology. The access metric is based on the percentage of students with computer access and the ratio of students to computers. The capacity metric reflects states' efforts to ensure the technology competence of their educators. Finally, the use metric reflects the technology standards set by states and their expectations and implementation of technology in academic processes.
According to Education Week, the nationwide average for the data is C+, with a majority of states falling into the C- to C+ range. Kentucky received a B+ average and is ranked 5th overall among all states. Other EPSCoR states, West Virginia and South Dakota, are also ranked in the top 5. Additionally, 10 of the top 16 states receiving a B average or better nationwide are EPSCoR states. The complete Technology Counts 2008 rankings can be found at http://www.edweek.org/we/toc/2008/03/27/index.html.
Kentucky is poised to put even more emphasis on STEM education through a proposal from Lexington Mayor, Jim Newberry. Newberry announced a college scholarship plan in March that would provide tuition to every Fayette County high school graduate pursing a degree in a STEM field. The only other qualification is that they must attend an institution of higher education within an hour's drive of Lexington. The award amounts will vary and are renewable for up to four years. Students who have attended school in the county from kindergarten through 12th grade are eligible for 100 percent of tuition. Students who have attended at least four years of high school in Fayette County are eligible for up to 40 percent of tuition. Recipients would also be required to seek available financial aid to reduce the scholarship amount from the city. The plan, which would be funded by taxpayers and calls for support by public and private contributions, has not yet been approved by the Urban County Council.
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Kentucky State University Excels at National NSBE Conference
April 23, 2008
From March 19-22, 2008, 28 members of Kentucky State University's (KSU) chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) participated in the organization's annual conference in Orlando, FL. The goal of the NSBE is to increase the number of culturally responsible black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community. KSU was one of over 700 schools in attendance bringing over 13,000 students to the event. The theme of this year's conference was "Igniting the Torch - Engineering in Action." Throughout the week, the students were able to participate in workshops, job interviews with over 350 companies and competitions of various sorts. Several KSU students received multiple interview opportunities resulting in job offers.
During the national convention, Kentucky State University students were nationally recognized for their outstanding achievements. Junior technology major, Mackendy Alcinvil, was named the 2008 GE African American Forum Scholar. This scholarship is available to rising juniors and seniors majoring in specified technical disciplines who are attending an accredited university in regions I-IV. Alcinvil received a $3,500 scholarship and an internship opportunity or job offer from GE.
Sabrina Anderson, president of KSU's NSBE chapter, was also recognized during the proceedings. She received third place in the Mike Shinn NSBE Distinguished Member of the Year award competition. The award is given to students who demonstrate high scholastic performance, dedicate service to the Society and other organizations, and possess significant professional promise. Anderson received a $2,500 scholarship and will represent Kentucky State University as a member on the NSBE's Regional Executive Board. Further, Ms. Anderson received the Chapter Presidents’ Visionary Award for her outstanding contributions and dedication to KSU's chapter.
Kentucky NSF EPSCoR supported the travel of the KSU NSBE students so they could attend this conference and is proud of their accomplishments. For additional information about related KY NSF EPSCoR programs at Kentucky colleges and universities, please reference our website: http://www.kynsfepscor.org/outreach.html.
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