The 2015 National Chemistry Week theme is “Chemistry Colors Our World”. The American Chemical Society is celebrating Chemistry Week to increase awareness for Chemistry. Dr. Mas Subramanian’s research focuses on colorful materials, so he made a graphic featuring his pigment to help the NSF promote Chemistry.
More information regarding the American Chemical Society, the National Science Foundation, National Chemistry Week and Dr. Subramanian’s research can be found on their websites.
Dr. Chong Fang, Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Oregon State University, has been awarded one of the prestigious 2015 NSF CAREER Awards.
The Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program is a Foundation-wide program that offers the National Science Foundation’s most prestigious awards in support of junior faculty who exemplify the role of teacher-scholars through outstanding research, excellent education, and the integration of education and research within the context of the mission of their organizations. A CAREER grant should build a firm foundation for the recipient for a lifetime of research excellence and creative leadership in integrating education and research. NSF encourages submission of CAREER proposals from junior faculty members at all CAREER-eligible organizations and especially encourages women, members of underrepresented minority groups, and persons with disabilities to apply.
This NSF CAREER Award will fund Dr. Fang’s research for the next five years. His current research focuses on developing state-of-the-art spectroscopic techniques to reveal the fluorescence mechanisms of green fluorescent protein (GFP) derivatives and emerging fluorescent protein biosensors. These colorful biomolecules originally derived from jellyfish floating in the Pacific ocean and later from coral reefs near Australia have revolutionized bioimaging for almost two decades. However, these biosensors still suffer from drawbacks in photostability, brightness, detection depth, and color contrast, etc. The key to rationally design the next-generation biosensors with improved and targeted properties lies in the mechanistic understanding of molecular fluorescence, emitted from the chromophore that is an organic moiety embedded in the center of the protein pocket.
The femtosecond Raman methodology implemented in the Fang lab will resolve the choreography of chromophore motions, to the detail of transporting a single proton upon photoexcitation, with the time resolution of a billionth of a millionth of a second. These unique and powerful experiments will provide previously hidden governing factors for the structural evolution of chromophores and the emission outcomes in emerging GFP-related biosensors, and can be extended to other photosensitive systems. The vivid molecular “movie” that is captured during chemical reactions and biological functions opens new ways to study physical chemistry and quantum mechanics in action.
“Winning this NSF CAREER award not only provides the crucial resources we need to bring our current femtosecond Raman methodology to the next level, both in technical innovation and sample applications, but also assures us that the scientific problems we are tackling hold transformative and broad impact.” Fang says. “Our group will use the newly available resources to systematically elucidate fluorescence mechanisms in an emerging group of protein biosensors, and pinpoint strategic atomic sites that protein designers and engineers can target to rationally improve the properties of those biosensors. The fundamental understanding of how things work, at the same time, is always a fascinating journey that keeps us inspired and motivated.”
Dr. Fang grew up in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China. He earned dual B.S. degrees in Chemistry and Applied Computer Science at the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC). He continued on to graduate school at the University of Pennsylvania under the tutelage of Prof. Robin Hochstrasser (1931-2013) and obtained his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry (2006). He performed postdoctoral research with Prof. Richard Mathies at the University of California, Berkeley, before joining the OSU Chemistry Faculty in September 2010. Dr. Fang’s research group currently boasts one postdoc and six graduate students. Some of Dr. Fang’s other noted awards are the GRF and RERF Fund Awards at OSU, Dean’s Scholar Award at UPenn and the Guo Moruo Scholarship at USTC.
Chemistry Department Chair, Dr. Rich Carter, stated, “I am thrilled to see Chong’s significant scientific and educational accomplishments acknowledged by the NSF through this award. He is one of the leading young chemists in his area internationally and this honor is well deserved.”
The Office for Research Development is requesting letters of intent for the NSF MRI program. This program serves to increase access to shared scientific and engineering instruments for research and research training in our Nation’s institutions of higher education, and not-for-profit museums, science centers and scientific/engineering research organizations. Guidelines: http://oregonstate.edu/research/incentive/nsf-mri. Information: Mary Phillips, mary.phillips@oregonstate.edu Deadline: November 24, 2014
The Office for Research Development is requesting letters of intent for the NSF S-STEM program. This program makes grants to institutions of higher education to support scholarships for academically talented students demonstrating financial need, enabling them to enter the STEM workforce or STEM graduate school following completion of a degree in STEM disciplines. Guidelines: http://oregonstate.edu/research/incentive/nsf-sstem. Information: Mary Phillips, mary.phillips@oregonstate.edu Deadline: June 23, 2014
The Research Office, Office for Research Development is requesting letters of intent for the NSF – Scalable Nanomanufacturing (SNM) program.
Deadline to submit letters of intent to the Research Office: Monday, April 21, 2014
Synopsis of Program:
NSF announces a fourth year of a program on collaborative research and education in the area of scalable nanomanufacturing, including the long-term societal implications of the large-scale implementation of nanomanufacturing innovations. This program is in response to and is a component of the National Nanotechnology Initiative Signature Initiative: Sustainable Nanomanufacturing – Creating the Industries of the Future (http://www.nano.gov/node/611.) Although many nanofabrication techniques have demonstrated the ability to fabricate small quantities of nanomaterials, nanostructures and nanodevices for characterization and evaluation purposes, the emphasis of the scalable nanomanufacturing program is on research to overcome the key scientific and technological barriers that prevent the production of useful nanomaterials, nanostructures, devices and systems at an industrially relevant scale, reliably, and at low cost and within environmental, health and safety guidelines. Competitive proposals will incorporate three elements in their research plans:
Proposals submitted to this program should consider addressing aspects of the nanomanufacturing value chain:
Competitive proposals are expected to address the training and education of students in nanomanufacturing. While not required, the involvement of an industrial partner or partners is strongly encouraged and has the potential to significantly strengthen a proposal.
Guidance for preparation of letters of intent to the Research Office: http://oregonstate.edu/research/incentive/nsf-snm
NSF – SNM program information: http://nsf.gov/pubs/2014/nsf14544/nsf14544.htm
Information: Mary Phillips, Director, Office for Research Development at mary.phillips@oregonstate.edu
Submit letters of intent electronically to Debbie Delmore at debbie.delmore@oregonstate.edu
NSF 14-540
http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2014/nsf14540/nsf14540.htm
Research Office, Office for Research Development Letter of Intent submission deadline: Friday, April 11, 2014
Synopsis of Program:
The Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program stimulates technological innovation in the private sector by strengthening the role of small business concerns in meeting Federal research and development needs, increasing the commercial application of federally supported research results, and fostering and encouraging participation by socially and economically disadvantaged and women-owned small businesses.
This STTR Phase I solicitation aims at encouraging the commercialization of previously NSF-funded fundamental research (NSF funding lineage). It is highly desirable that the core innovation described in the submitted proposals can in some manner be linked to fundamental research funded by the NSF. This lineage must be documented in the Project Description section of the proposal here).
Anticipated Funding Amount: $10,575,000 for Phase I (pending availability of funds)
Estimated Number of Awards: 47 (pending availability of funds)
Guidance for preparation of letter of intent to the Research Office, Office for Research Development:: http://oregonstate.edu/research/incentive/
Submit electronically as a MSWord or PDF document to: debbie.delmore@oregonstate.edu
For further information, please contact Mary Phillips, Director of the Office for Research Development at mary.phillips@oregonstate.edu
The Research Office, Office for Research Development is requesting letters for intent for the NSF – High Performance Computing System Acquisition (HPCSA): Continuing the Building of a More Inclusive Computing Environment for Science and Engineering program.
Deadline to submit letters of intent to the Research Office: Monday, March 17, 2014
The current solicitation is intended to complement previous NSF investments in advanced computational infrastructure by exploring new and creative approaches to delivering computational resources to the scientific community. Consistent with the Advanced Computing Infrastructure: Vision and Strategic Plan (February 2012), the current solicitation is focused on expanding the use of high-end resources to a much larger and more diverse community. To quote from that strategic plan, the goal is to “… position and support the entire spectrum of NSF-funded communities … and to promote a more comprehensive and balanced portfolio …. to support multidisciplinary computational and data-enabled science and engineering that in turn supports the entire scientific, engineering and educational community.” Thus, while continuing to provide essential and needed resources to the more traditional users of HPC, this solicitation expands the horizon to include research communities that are not users of traditional HPC systems, but who would benefit from advanced computational capabilities at the national level. Building, testing, and deploying these resources within the collaborative ecosystem that encompasses national, regional and campus resources continues to remain a high priority for NSF and one of increasing importance to the science and engineering community.
Guidance for preparation of letters of intent: http://oregonstate.edu/research/incentive/nsf-hpcsa
NSF – HPCSA: Continuing the Building of a More Inclusive computing Environment for Science and Engineering information:http://nsf.gov/pubs/2014/nsf14536/nsf14536.htm
If you have any question, contact Mary Phillips, Director, Office of Research Development at mary.phillips@oregonstate.edu.
The Office for Research Development is requesting letters of intent for the NSF – SRN competition 2014 Focus: Urban Sustainability. The program seeks to bring together multidisciplinary teams of researchers, educators, managers, policymakers and other stakeholders to conduct collaborative research that addresses fundamental challenges in sustainability. Guidelines: http://oregonstate.edu/research/incentive/nsf-srn. Information: Mary Phillips mary.phillips@oregonstate.edu. Deadline: Feb. 28
Sastry Pantula, Dean of the College of Science, will speak on “ABCs @ NSF” on Oct. 21, 4 p.m., in Owen Hall 102. He will discuss funding and career opportunities at NSF.
The National Science Foundation International Science & Engineering section would like to make you aware of an opportunity for U.S. graduate students to participate in research experiences in summer 2014 through the East Asia & Pacific Summer Institutes (EAPSI) program. EAPSI supports 200-205 graduate students each year to do research in the lab of their choice in any of seven locations: Australia, China, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Singapore or Taiwan. Each institute has a fixed start and end date, and includes a pre-departure orientation near NSF and an in-country language and culture orientation. An EAPSI award includes a $5,000 stipend and round trip air ticket provided by NSF, and a living allowance provided by NSF’s counterpart funding agency in the host location. The program is open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents enrolled in research-oriented graduate programs in NSF-funded STEM fields. The U.S. graduate student is the PI on an EAPSI proposal. The application deadline is November 25, 2013. The EAPSI program announcement 13-593 and related information are available athttp://www.nsf.gov/eapsi (please scroll down to Related URLs).
EAPSI is an excellent opportunity for U.S. graduate students to advance their research in collaboration with high-caliber scientists and engineers in East Asia and to build professional networks in a scientifically important region of the world. The program is entirely funded by ISE and our international partners: there is no cost to NSF directorates or to your PIs. It’s an excellent opportunity to leverage our resources to advance international research and education opportunities for your community. We invite you to share this mail or the link with PIs, graduate students, and others in your community who may benefit from the EAPSI opportunity.
Informational Webinars will be conducted on Friday, September 27, 2013, at 3:00 pm ET and on Thursday, October 10, 2013, at 1:00 pm ET. Please visitwww.nsf.gov/eapsi for information on how to join the Webinars. Passcode is EAPSI2014.
We invite you to forward this mail to your U.S. graduate students. We look forward to receiving their applications!