| Media Giraffe Project |
 The Media Giraffe Project (MGP) is an interdisciplinary research initiative housed within the journalism program at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The Project's mission is to find and spotlight individuals making innovative, potentially sustainable, use of media to foster participatory democracy and community. The MGP draws on scholars and advisors from business, education, public policy and communication studies, along with the assistance of students, and the insights and experience of both media insiders and citizen activists. The MGP is research driven and non-partisan. To keep the effort manageable, the focus is on media located in, or serving, the United States. [Read more]
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| Campus Busy with Summer REUs
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The ten 2009 Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) programs jointly hosted a welcome barbecue Friday, June 5. Now in its second year, the annual picnic brings together over 120 students and mentors for food, frisbee, volleyball and other informal fun and networking. The campus-wide event is one of several planned by the REU Network -- a campus collaboration which includes the coordinators of the ten programs, the Dean of the Graduate School, the Office of Undergraduate Research and Scholarship (OURS), and the Academic Liaison in Research Liaison and Development (RL&D). According to a statement provided by Michael Wright, coordinator in the CURE program (Collaborative Undergraduate Research in Energy), "REU programs enhance the participating students' educational experience and contribute to undergraduate retention. When other institutions send repeat applicants, it develops the university's reputation and strengthens its networks. It also helps provide full use of campus academic learning and research resources during the summer." Individual REU students in labs not affiliated with an established program are also encouraged to participate in the activities of the network. They or their mentor should contact Susan Bronstein in OURS or Barbara Pearson in RL&D to be included in the invitations and planning.
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Online Library for Ethical Conduct of Research Underway
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UMass Amherst has received a $250,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to develop an online library containing material about the ethical and responsible conduct of research. The effort is being directed by Jane Fountain, political science and director of the National Center for Digital Government and Science, Technology and Society (STS) Initiative, and Marilyn Billings, scholarly communication and special initiatives librarian at the W.E.B. Du Bois Library. The project is being planned in response to a new federal law that requires institutions applying to the NSF for grants to provide a plan for training researchers in ethics. (Mass High Tech, 6/1/09; News Office Release)
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| Gender of Instructors May Affect Success of Female Students |
The Association of Women in Science announces that a new study reports the gender gap in course grades and STEM majors is eradicated when high performing female student's introductory math and science classes are taught by female professors. Three economists examine a unique dataset of college students who have been randomly assigned to professors over a wide variety of mandatory standardized courses. The results suggest that while professor gender has little impact on male students, it has a powerful effect on female students' performance in math and science classes, their likelihood of taking future math and science courses, and their likelihood of graduating with a STEM degree. For more details see Gender matters |
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Patent Recipient Awards
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Fourth Annual CVIP Patent Recognition
Awards
Many members of our faculty have impressive
records
in patenting their inventions. In order to recognize
these achievements and to increase awareness of
this work, Commercial Ventures and Intellectual
Property (CVIP) and the Vice Chancellor for Research and Engagement recognized those who received patents in 2008 at
this year's Annual Research Recognition Dinner. In
addition, the award program honored faculty who
have reached their 5th issued patent with a
Milestone Award.
This years winners are:
- Maciej Ciesielski, Aura Ganz and Weibo Gong from Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Anthony Dinsmore from Physics
- Todd Emrick, Thomas Russell and James Watkins of Polymer Science
- Lloyd Semprevivo of Veterinary and Animal Sciences
- Elizabeth Stewart of Microbiology
- The late Herbert Hultin of Food Science
- David Kazmer formerly of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering
- Michael Tsapatsis formerly of Chemical Engineering
- Paul Voss formerly of Geosciences
James Watkins of Polymer Science was awarded the Milestone Award for his fifth patent.
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| Funding Opportunities |
**Remember to create or update your Community of Science profile to get customized funding opportunities via email. ** Collaborative Biomedical Research GrantsDeadline: June 29, 2009Estimated Award Size: VariesThe Collaborative Biomedical Research (CBR) Program funds promising research projects that have co-principal investigators from both UMass Amherst and Baystate Medical Center. CBR Research Grants provide initial support for physicians and scientists to collaborate on a biomedical project and are intended to serve as internal "seed funds" to help the collaborative team gain a competitive position for extramural funding applications. For more information, including criteria details and application materials, visit the CBR website. Thelonious Monk International Jazz Bass Competition
Deadline: August 3, 2009
First Place: $20,000The Thelonious Monk International Jazz Bass Competition is open to all bassists who plan to pursue jazz performance as a career. Eligibility is exclusive to bassists who are 30 years of age and under as of October 11, 2009 and have never recorded as a leader on a major label or widely distributed independent label. Click here for more information
FOUNDATION FUNDING
Varies: The Grand Challenge for the Healthcare X Prize X Prize Foundation
Varies: Postdoctoral Fellowship Program The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL)
Varies: Fellowships for Postdoctoral Researchers Humboldt Research Fellowship
Varies: Fellowships for Experienced Researchers Humboldt Research Fellowship
Varies: Bilateral Engagement Projects Between Germany and US Checkpoint Charlie Stiftung Foundation
Faculty interested in applying for the above foundation-sponsored opportunities are encouraged to contact Susan Worgaftik (413-577-2956) for assistance or more information. The application deadline is listed before each funding opportunity.
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| Announcements |
Research Commercialization Webinar CourseThe National Council of Entrepreneurial Tech Transfer will be sponsoring a webinar course in June and July on Research Commercialization. This unique course will deal with successfully commercializing any type of research activity, whether focused on engineering, physical sciences or life-sciences. The course will discuss the practical business and legal issues that researchers need to understand to commercialize their research. The NCET2 11 lecture course is free but you do need to register. To find out more information and/or register please visit the NCET2 website. Ross Awarded Armstrong Fund GrantThe third annual UMass Amherst Armstrong Fund for Science grant has been awarded to Professor Jennifer Ross, Physics. Dr. Ross' work combines physics and biological research in a project investigating how cells organize themselves and how they can be re-created experimentally in the lab. She was recognized for this achievement at the campus's annual Research Recognition dinner on May 12 and funding will commence in July 2009. For more information on the Armstrong Fund for Science program click here. The Naval Research Enterprise Intern Program (NREIP)NREIP is a ten week summer research opportunity for undergraduate Juniors & Seniors, and Graduate students, under the guidance of a mentor, at a participating Navy Laboratory. The goals of the NREIP
are to encourage participating students to pursue science and
engineering careers, to further education via mentoring by laboratory
personnel and their participation in research, and to make them aware
of Department of Navy research and technology efforts, which can lead to employment within the Department of Navy. Click here for more information. AAAS Now Seeking Nominations for the 2009 Mentor AwardsThe two categories of the AAAS Mentor Awards, the Lifetime Mentor Award and the Mentor Award, both honor individuals who during their careers demonstrate extraordinary leadership to increase the participation of underrepresented groups in the science and engineering PhD workforce. These groups include: women of all racial or ethnic groups; African American, Native American, and Hispanic men; and people with disabilities. All nominations are due by Friday, July 31st, 2009. Click here for more information. Call for Nominations: 8th Annual Janet L. Norwood Award for Outstanding Achievement by a Woman in the Statistical SciencesThe Section on Statistical Genetics and the Department of Biostatistics in the School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) are pleased to request nominations for the Eighth Annual Janet L. Norwood Award for Outstanding Achievement by a Woman in the Statistical Sciences. Eligible individuals are women who have completed their terminal degree, have made outstanding contributions to the statistical sciences, and, if selected, are willing to deliver a lecture at the award ceremony. Additional details about the award here.
Science, Technology and Society e-NewsletterThe spring 2009 Science, Technology and Society e-Newsletter is now available. Based in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and the Center for Public Policy and Administration, the STS Initiative is a catalyst for inter-disciplinary, collaborative research among the natural, physical and social sciences, engineering and public policy and a locus of engagement with governments, NGO's, business and civil society.
Call of Nominations - Speakers for The Environmental Institute Lecture SeriesTEI is looking for nominations of speakers for the Fall 2009 and Spring 2010 semesters. These speakers will be part of The Environmental Institute Lecture Series and should be excellent public speakers, address an important and timely environmental issue, have a faculty host interested in creating opportunities for undergraduates and/or graduate students and be likely to accept the invitation if their schedule allows. Nomination reviews will begin on June 12th. Send nominations and any questions to Sharon Tracey or TEI. |
| Events |
June 11: Carbon Negative Seminar Series - Fuel Cells: Current Product Opportunities and Emerging Technologies Thursday, June 11: 4:30pm. Dr. Paul Osenar, Chief Technology Officer, Protonex and Dr. S. "Thai" Thayumanavan, Professor of Chemistry and Director of the Fueling The Future Center for Chemical Innovation at UMass Amherst. Details here.
June 9-11:The University of Massachusetts Amherst will be hosting the Conference on the Environmental Implications and Applications of Nanotechnology. Leading nano researchers, nano policy and regulatory experts, practitioners, manufactures and users around the world will address the impacts of manufactured nanoparticles on the environment and new applications for remediation and pollution control. More details here. June 18: BEACON's Pfizer Seminar Series presents Dr. Gualberto Ruano, MD, PhD, "Physiological Genomics and Personalized Medicine" at the Baystate Hospital at 759 Chestnut Street, Springfield MA in Chestnut Rooms 1A and 1B. This event is free of charge, but helpful to reserve your space in advance. To RSVP please e-mail Terri Wilson or call (860)-547-1995. For a complete list of campus events, check out www.umass.edu/umhome/events
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May Grants & Contracts Snapshot |
Each month ACCESS includes a selection of grants and contracts awarded to faculty from across campus to provide a sense of what's going on in Research at UMass Amherst. These listings reflect only a small fraction of the total sponsored activity for any given month. Since this is just a snapshot in time and grant/contract terms vary, actual award totals may be higher than the amounts listed.
Douglas L. Anderton
Sociology
Sponsor: Baystate Health Foundation Inc.
Title: Environmental Impacts on Epigenetics: Bisphenol A and Promoter Methylation
Total Award: $15,500
Mary V. Andrianopoulos
Communications Disorders
Sponsor: US Dept of Education
Title: Combined Priority for Personnel Development
Total Award: $199,997
Genevieve Elizabeth Chandler
Nursing
Sponsor: American Assoc of Colleges of Nursing
Title: Mentoring and Leadership in the RWJF New Careers in Nursing Program
Total Award: $1,000
John K. Creilson
Geosciences
Sponsor: National Aero and Space Administration
Title: Analysis and Interpretation of High Resolution Atmospheric Chemistry Model Data for a Time-Resolved Tropospheric Chemistry Mission
Total Award: $62,560
Alfred J. Crosby
Polymer Science and Engineering
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
Title: Controlled Crumpling of Polymer Thin Films and Nanocomposites
Total Award: $108,000
Rebecca Gajda
Educational Policy Research & Admin.
Sponsor: MA Dept of Elementary & Secondary Ed
Title: ESE Administrator Standards Research & Development
Total Award: $147,194
Craig Hollingsworth
UMASS Extension
Sponsor: MA Dept of Agricultural Resources
Title: Western Massachusetts Center for Sustainable Aquaculture 2009
Total Award: $18,500
Young-Cheul Kim
Nutrition
Sponsor: Korea Food Research Institute
Title: The Antioxidative Stress Effects of Korean Ginseng During Skeletal Myogenesis
Total Award: $20,000
David Brayton Kittredge Jr.
Natural Resources Conservation
Sponsor: Forest Services
Title: Family Forest Research Center - New Joint Venture Agreement
Total Award: $148,754
Laetitia Amelia La Follette
Art History
Sponsor: Marion and Jasper Whiting Foundation
Title: Modeling Adaptation: The Process of Romanization in Southern France
Total Award: $3,200
Ivan Mirkovic
Mathematics and Statistics
Sponsor: National Science Foundation
Title: Geometry of Langlands Duality
Total Award: $179,707
Richard Palmer
Civil & Environmental Engineering
Sponsor: The Nature Conservancy
Title: Evaluating Reservoir Operations and the Impacts of Climate Change in the Connecticut River Basin
Total Award: $352,134
Alan D. Parrish
Astronomy
Sponsor: National Aero and Space Administration
Title: Continued Ground-Based Microwave Observations of Stratospheric Ozone at NDACC Hawaii and New Zealand Stations, 2009-2013
Total Award: $269,456
Sharon F. Rallis
Educational Policy Research & Admin.
Sponsor: Hampshire Educational Collaborative
Title: HEC Program Evaluation
Total Award: $20,000
Lisa D. Sanders
Psychology
Sponsor: National Institutes of Health
Title: Attentional Cues During Speech Perception
Total Award: $25,892
Elizabeth S. Stuart
Microbiology
Sponsor: Avon Foundation
Title: The Presence, Prevalence and Impact of Intracellular Chlamydia in Cells from Breast Milk
Total Award: $89,459
Susan Sturgeon
Public Health
Sponsor: Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation
Title: Predicting Breast Cancer by Detection of Promoter Hypermethylation in Serum DNA
Total Award: $236,171
Roy G. Vandriesche
Plant, Soil and Insect Sciences
Sponsor: Forest Service
Title: Classical Biological Control of Ambermarked Birch Leafminer and Other Forest Pests in the United States
Total Award: $47,200
Loretta Yarlow
Fine Arts Center
Sponsor: Ramsey McCluskey Family Foundation
Title: Greening the Valley: Sustainable Architecture in the Pioneer Valley
Total Award: $2,500
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