Everyone I’ve spoken to over the last few days has deemed the 1st Annual CIA (Chemistry is Awesome) Party to be a huge success. I would personally like to thank everyone who helped make it all happen and share some links to the press coverage we’ve been made aware of so far. THANK YOU!! – Luanne
Originally printed in Terra Magazine – Courtesy of Nick Houtman
A good recipe depends on high-quality ingredients. That’s as true in industry (electronics, food products, chemical manufacturing) as it is in our kitchens. So when two Willamette Valley chemists developed methods for producing industrial chemicals with exceptional purity, they saw a business opportunity. The result is a new company: Valliscor. Co-founded in 2012 by Rich G. Carter, professor and chair of the Oregon State University Department of Chemistry, and industrial chemist Michael Standen, Valliscor produces organic building blocks for the pharmaceutical, electronics and biotech sectors. Its first product is a compound known as bromofluoromethane (BFM). BFM is a critical ingredient in the synthesis of fluticasone propionate, the active component in two popular medications: Flonase, a nasal spray; and Advair, an asthma inhaler. “The company was created to exploit the synergy between industrial know-how and academic innovation,” says Carter. “Valliscor harnesses licensed technology from Oregon State and from industrial partners to provide unique and cost-effective solutions for producing high-value chemicals. We can provide ultra-high purity materials that are superior to those offered by our competitors.” Before founding Valliscor, Carter and Standen had collaborated on numerous projects over the past 10 years, including the commercialization of an “organocatalyst” called Hua Cat, an advance in environmentally friendly chemical manufacturing. The OSU Research Office and the Advantage Accelerator program have been key to the company’s growth, Carter adds. “We’ve had great mentorship and guidance from the Advantage Accelerator leadership: Mark Lieberman, John Turner and Betty Nickerson. When we get stuck on a problem, they are just a phone call away.” The Oregon Nanoscience and Microtechnologies Institute (ONAMI) supported the company in 2012 with proof-of-concept funding and guidance from commercialization specialists Jay Lindquist and Michael Tippie and from Skip Rung, ONAMI executive director.
Academic Affairs is offering compensation and course development support during Fall 2014 for redesign of established undergraduate classroom courses as hybrid courses to be offered in Spring or Summer 2015. These funds are in support of participation in a hybrid faculty learning community and course redesign. Academic Affairs will allocate $2,000 per course to each participating faculty member. Proposals are due June 12. See Request for Proposals; contact cub.kahn@oregonstate.edu if you have questions.
The Beaver Champion Award is given each year at University Day to an individual or individuals for outstanding effort and achievement of excellence, extra effort beyond that requested, and performance of the highest quality. The President’s office invites nominations for the 2014 Beaver Champion Award, which will be awarded on University Day. Please send your letter of nomination to President Edward Ray, Office of the President, 600 Kerr Administration Building, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331.
The Research Office is seeking input on vendor demonstrations for different electronic Research Administration systems to assist with the processing of submissions and reviews related to research compliance, environmental health and safety compliance.
Tech Software, June 2, 9-11 a.m. in Hallie Ford, Room 115;
A-Tune, June 3, 2-4 p.m. in Hallie Ford, Room 115;
iMedris, June 4, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in Kidder, Room 274;
Huron, June 4, 3-5 p.m. in Kidder, Room 274;
Topaz, June 5, 8-10 a.m. in Hallie Ford, Room 115;
Key Solutions, June 5, 3-5 p.m. in Hallie Ford, Room 115.
Who is your PI? – Mas Subramanian
Do you have a Graduate Student/Post-Doc Mentor? – Sean Muir
How did you learn about the position? – My best friend, who had been working in the research group for two terms prior, introduced me to the P.I.
Why did you get into Undergraduate Research? – I wanted to obtain practical, hands-on experience to supplement my didactic learning in the classroom.
What advice might you have for other Undergraduate students thinking of pursuing research or just getting started? – Build good relationships with your research team. Science is inherently collaborative and as an undergraduate you will be receiving plenty of guidance from the graduate students and P.I.
Have you ordered your faculty regalia?? It’s not too late!!
If you submitted your Faculty Regalia order to the OSU Beaver Store after the April 15 deadline, please email Lindsay Bass at faculty.regalia@osubeaverstore.com to confirm your order.
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is pleased to announce the release of the FY 2014 RFA for the Crop Protection and Pest Management program.
The purpose of the Crop Protection and Pest Management program addresses high priority issues related to pests and their management using IPM approaches at the state, regional and national levels. The CPPM program supports projects that will increase food security and respond effectively to other major societal challenges with comprehensive IPM approaches that are economically viable, environmentally sound and will help protect human health. The CPPM program addresses IPM challenges for emerging issues and existing priority pest concerns that can be addressed more effectively with new and emerging technologies. The outcomes of the CPPM program are effective, affordable, and environmentally sound IPM practices and strategies supporting more vital communities.
Applications must be received by Grants.gov by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, June 19, 2014.
Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-NIFA-CPPM-004531
NIFA Funding Opportunity Page: http://www.nifa.usda.gov/fo/cropprotectionandpestmanagemet.cfm. This page includes links to the request for applications (RFA), the NIFA Grants.gov Application Guide, and the application package.
Grants.gov Synopsis Page: http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=255496. This page includes a synopsis of the funding opportunity, a link to the full announcement (RFA) and the application package.
Grants.gov Application Package:
http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/applicants/download-application-package.html?p_p_id=grantsdownloadpackage_WAR_grantsdownloadpackageportlet&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&p_p_col_id=column-1&p_p_col_pos=1&p_p_col_count=2&_grantsdownloadpackage_WAR_grantsdownloadpackageportlet_mvcPath=%2Fdownload.jsp?id=196904&search=-2. This page links to the application instructions and the application package.
If you have questions after reading the RFA, please contact: Dr. Herb Bolton – (Regional Coordination Program Area (RCP), hbolton@nifa.usda.gov or (202) 401-4201; Dr. Marty Draper – Extension Implementation Program Area (EIP), mdraper@nifa.usda.gov or (202) 401-1990; or Robert Nowierski – Applied Research and Development Program Area (ARDP), rnowierski@nifa.usda.gov or (202) 401-4900.
If you have any questions related to Grants.gov content, contact the Grants.gov Contact Center:
Email: support@grants.gov, Phone: Toll Free: 1-800-518-4726, 24 hour support, excluding Federal holidays.
Useful Links:
NIFA Grant Application Information: www.nifa.usda.gov/funding/application_info.html;
OMSI Science Communication Fellows are industry or academic researchers or science professionals, including faculty, graduate students, technicians, or other individuals in science, health, or technology related positions. After participating in specialized training, Fellows are certified by OMSI as current science ambassadors and skilled communicators. Fellows join OMSI in helping public audiences engage with science in meaningful and relevant ways. Specific commitments include: