September 27, 2022 Newsletter

September 27, 2022

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Research News

NASA Selects Iowa State MSE Professor to Test Materials for Future Missions

NASA has selected five different ground-based proposals to investigate important problems using existing data from the Physical Sciences Informatics System, and Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) assistant professor Sid Pathak’s proposal was one of those chosen. His proposal will investigate the performance of different solder joints for use in future space missions. Read more…

Iowa State Researchers Studying Leaf Angle to Improve Yields, Inspire Young Scientists

The angle of the leaves on a corn stalk directly affects the plant’s ability to absorb the sun needed for photosynthesis. To better understand the underlying structure of leaf angle, an interdisciplinary research team, led by Iowa State professor of agronomy Jianming Yu, is using a robot to capture 3D images of corn. The research is supported by a four-year, $2.5 million National Science Foundation grant. Read more…

Iowa State Researchers Find Rare and Endangered Bumble Bees in Iowa

Once widespread across the eastern U.S. and Upper Midwest, the number of rusty patched bumble bees has plummeted nearly 90% since the 1990s. Researchers at Iowa State are part of a multi-state effort to map out where the federally endangered pollinator lives, identify what habitat it prefers and collect clues about the population’s genetic diversity and overall health. The findings could help wildlife managers and land stewards reverse the bumble bee’s decline. Read more…

Announcements

Fall Innovation Corps (I-Corps) Program Accepting Applications

The National Science Foundation (NSF)-sponsored I-Corps program gives campus innovators – faculty and graduate students, alike – the entrepreneurial tools and skills they need to bring their big ideas from the research bench to the marketplace. The I-Corps program at Iowa State is now part of the new Great Lakes I-Corps Hub and will be accepting registrations through October 17 for its Fall 2022 cohort, which kicks off October 19. ISU innovators can also participate in regional I-Corps programming through the Great Lakes I-Corps Hub.  Applications are being accepted now for the Fall 2022 Medical Jumpstart I-Corps Course and the Fall 2022 STEM I-Corps Course. Regional I-Corps courses are designed for faculty, researchers, and students with technology-based innovation ideas or Intellectual Property and a strong interest in commercializing their technology.

Participation in the local ISU I-Corps program or a regional I-Corps program creates eligibility to apply for the prestigious NSF National I-Corps Teams program. Not sure which program is right for you? Contact Kris Johansen or Craig Forney to learn more.

NSF Programs to Stop Accepting Proposals via FastLane Website

The FastLane website (fastlane.nsf.gov) is scheduled to be removed as a submission option for NSF funding opportunities in January 2023. Some programs in NSF’s Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences Directorate have already stopped accepting proposals through FastLane, and others will stop accepting them over the remainder of 2022. The transition from the FastLane website to Research.gov and Grants.gov is part of NSF’s ongoing information technology modernization efforts. Since NSF’s update on Research.gov implementation in September 2020, NSF has been gradually removing FastLane as a submission option in program solicitations and descriptions.

Please consult the tables in this document (PDF) for additional information about the transition to Research.gov, including dates throughout the summer and fall when some programs will stop accepting proposals through FastLane. You can also check program web pages for information about which submission methods are accepted by each program and contact the program officers listed on those pages or email rgov@nsf.gov with any questions. For tutorials and guidance on how to use Research.gov please visit the Research.gov proposal preparation and submission resources site.

Internal Funding Opportunities

Bailey Research Career Development Award

Applications are sought for the Bailey Research Career Development Award, designed to foster research that is innovative (outside of an established research program) and not only increases knowledge but also has practical applications. It is expected that the Bailey Award will allow faculty to devote time toward high-risk, high-impact research addressing emerging scientific, technical, and/or societal problems resulting in practical applications and, in appropriate disciplines, extramural funding. Any full-time tenured associate professors and professors may apply for this award. Applications are due October 3, 2022.

CEAH Research Grants

The Center for Excellence in the Arts and Humanities (CEAH) is offering grants for research and creative activity that will make a significant contribution to the scholarly development and academic career progression of faculty in the arts, design, and humanities disciplines. Projects should employ predominantly artistic or humanistic approaches and have outcomes clearly falling within the arts and humanities disciplines. Applicants must be tenured or tenure track faculty in the College of Design or College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, with a home department in the arts and humanities disciplines. Applications are due October 7, 2022.

CEAH Digital Scholarship Research Grants

The Center for Excellence in the Arts and Humanities (CEAH) is offering grants for research and creative activity that incorporates a substantial digital component and that will make a significant contribution to the scholarly development and academic career progression of faculty in the arts, design, and humanities disciplines. Applicants must be tenured or tenure-track faculty in the College of Design or College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, with a home department in the arts and humanities disciplines. Applications are due October 7, 2022.

CEAH Symposium Grants

The Center for Excellence in the Arts and Humanities (CEAH) is offering symposium grants to support the creation of artistic and scholarly conferences, symposia, or seminars on Iowa State’s campus that will attract significant national attention and bring recognition to the scholarly work being done by the university’s arts and humanities faculty. CEAH is particularly interested in receiving proposals for symposia that connect to the Grand Challenge Research Themes identified by the Office of the Vice President for Research. Applicants must be tenured or tenure‐track faculty in the College of Design or the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, with a home department in the arts and humanities disciplines. Applications are due October 7, 2022.

Biobased Products Emerging Technology Seed Funding

Proposals are being accepted for Biobased Products Emerging Technology Seed Grantsfocused on the emerging key industrial technology areas of biobased chemicals and biomaterials, biobased fertilizers, ag biologicals (microbial soil treatments, biobased pesticides), alternative proteins and nutritional probiotics, and advanced biofuels. The projects are generally for 12 months with the potential for second year funding based on progress and availability of funds. Any Iowa State faculty member wanting to develop commercial-relevant expertise in biobased products for soil enhancement, pesticides, alternative proteins,or nutrition probiotics is eligible for this funding opportunity. Applications are due October 15, 2022.

Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics Seed Grants

Proposals are being accepted for Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics Seed Grants to foster industry-driven/commercial development partnerships, with a focus on technology development, generation of intellectual property, or next level commercial funding and development. Any Iowa State faculty member working with a company based in, or having a significant footprint in, Iowa, is eligible to apply. Applications are due October 1, 2022.

Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics Adjuvant and Immunostimulant Consortium

Proposals are now being sought for funds offered through the Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics Adjuvant and Immunostimulant Consortium program. The program will sponsor a large clinical trial using technology from a consortium of faculty and investigators and run a trial generating validation data to support IP, publications, and potential industry connections. Any Iowa State faculty member working with a company based in, or with a significant footprint in, Iowa, is eligible to apply. Applications are due October 1, 2022.

Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics Innovation Fellowships

Applications are currently sought for Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics Innovation Fellowships, which provide resources to allow active pursuit of technology licensing, commercial partnerships, or new venture formation by research-focused entrepreneurs who have motivation to identify and commercialize novel technologies. Applicants should have a suitable technical knowledge and a strong interest in developing entrepreneurial talents to form a successful new venture or actively support technological commercialization in the vaccines and immunotherapeutics field. Applications are due December 2, 2022.

External Funding Opportunities

2023 Moore Inventor Fellows

The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation is pleased to announce the nomination call for 2023 Moore Inventor Fellows. Inspired by Gordon Moore’s passion for discovery, this fellowship seeks to identify outstanding early-stage inventors who are harnessing science and technology solutions to enhance scientific research, strengthen environmental conservation, or improve the experience and outcomes of patient care. The Moore Inventor Fellows program recognizes inventors at select research universities and organizations. The foundation has allocated nearly $34 million through 2026 to support 50 Moore Inventor Fellows. To begin the nomination and application process, please complete the submission form with the name and contact information for your institution’s point of contact by October 4, 2022.

Training & Development

OVPR Lunch & Learn for Internal Funded Programs
October 6 — 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.

Researchers considering submitting proposals to the Presidential Interdisciplinary Research Initiative (PIRI), the Presidential Interdisciplinary Research Seed Grant Program (PIRS), the Presidential Cost-Sharing Program for Research Tools (CoSPRT), Bridging the Divide, Bailey or Margaret B. Barry programs are encouraged to attend this OVPR session. Associate vice presidents for research Jim Reecy, Surya Mallapragada, and Jerry Zamzow will be available to answer questions about the programs. Register here.

2022 NIAMRRE Fall Quarterly Symposium
October 19 — 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. — Zoom

The National Institute of Antimicrobial Resistance Research and Education (NIAMRRE) Fall Symposium will showcase the 2022 One Health Interprofessional Education Cohort’s Capstone projects. Participants of this cohort started at the May 2022 NIAMRRE Conference. Since then, individuals have been able to interact with others across the One Health sectors while learning how to implement an IPE mindset in solving AMR case studies. During the symposium you will see the different teams showcase what they have learned about IPE in a selected case of their choice. In addition, come and listen to Katie Kuehl, Peter Rabinowitz and Vickie Ramirez from University of Washington share how they use IPE in the One Health Clinic. Register here.

Voices in Research

“Most researchers usually work at the extremes. They’re working with nanoparticles that are either very hard or very soft. The region between is unexplored. We’re bringing soft and hard together, which is why I call them hybrid nanocarriers. This hard and soft [approach] provides a broad range of mechanical properties to achieve high cellular uptake.”

Rizia Bardhan, associate professor, Chemical and Biological Engineering

“A popular theory about the collapse of Teotihuacan is that foreign invaders were responsible for the fire and the collapse of the state. To test this, we are attempting to find out if the residents of Hacienda Metepec in the period after the collapse were descendants of the original Teotihuacan inhabitants or represent a newly arrived, different ethnic group.”

Andrew Somerville, assistant professor, Anthropology

“We know people can adapt to sea sickness through repeated exposures. After several days on a boat, they’ll start to feel better. My research team and I want to figure out to what extent people can adapt to cybersicknessand whether their adaptation in one VR experience can carry over to others. We wanted the game to be fun enough that the participants would only stop playing from cybersickness, not boredom.”

Jonathan Kelly, professor, Psychology