WVEPSCoR Makes Research Challenge Awards for Innovation

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 4, 2007

Contact
Ginny Painter
Communications Program Manager
WVEPSCoR
304.558.4128 ext. 6
ginny.painter@wvepscor.org


The West Virginia Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (WVEPSCoR) recently awarded nearly $2.5 million in grants for research initiatives at West Virginia University and Marshall University. These Research Challenge Grants (RCG) will provide seed money for new research endeavors at the universities.

Projects funded through the RCG program support the creation of research centers and foster economic development and work force advancement. WVEPSCoR support for initiatives under this program cannot exceed five years in length, and all projects must be self-supporting at the end of the grant period.

"The primary goals of the Research Challenge Grants are to sponsor innovative research at our colleges and universities and improve the institutions' ability to be competitive for federal funding on the national level," said Dr. Paul L. Hill, WVEPSCoR executive director. "Even though this grant program is only a few years old, we are already beginning to see results. We have had the pleasure of announcing five startup companies resulting from university research funded by Research Challenge Grants. These companies bring with them the types of good jobs we need in West Virginia."

The RCG program is funded through state video lottery proceeds. A complete list of RCG recipients is attached. For more information about WVEPSCoR’s programs or its Vision 2015 strategic plan for growing the state's research enterprise, call (304) 558-4128 or visit http://www.wvepscor.org/.


2007 WVEPSCoR Research Challenge Grant Recipients


Marshall University
$500,000
Dr. Eric Blough and Dr. Philippe Georgel, Department of Biological Sciences

Development of a Cell Differentiation and Development Center focused on the epigenetic mechanisms underlying cell differentiation and development and the diseases that result from failure of these mechanisms, especially cancer and cardiovascular disease.


West Virginia University
$500,000
Dr. Julio Davalos, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Establishment of a Center for Transportation Security and Infrastructure Innovations to contribute to solutions to two worldwide needs for transportation infrastructure: (1) security against potential terrorist attacks; and (2) rehabilitation, maintenance, and new construction to improve performance and achieve better and longer service-life of highway materials. This project is in conjunction with the Nick J. Rahall II Appalachian Transportation Institute at Marshall University.


West Virginia University
$490,730
Dr. Maura McLaughlin, Department of Physics

Creation of a world-class Center for Astrophysics at West Virginia University in partnership with the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank. Researchers will study pulsars, which have a wide range of applications--from testing Einstein's theory of general relativity to probing the interstellar medium of the galaxy to understanding the physics of superdense matter.


West Virginia University
$470,886
Dr. Arun Ross, Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering

Development of an Information Networks Research Group to develop identity management technology to process data for use by businesses and the intelligence community.


West Virginia University
$499,840
Dr. Ever Barbero, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Establishment of an Energy Materials Science and Engineering Program to research energy materials, including materials for energy conversion (fuel cells, batteries, solar-cells, thermo-electrics, and solid-state lighting), energy storage (hydrogen materials), energy utilization (turbine materials, boiler and tubing materials, thermal barrier coating), energy saving (reflective or thermal insulation materials/coating), energy efficiency and environment protection (sensing materials, corrosion/wear resistant coatings).