OSI Receives Two New NSF Grants

OSI was recently awarded National Science Foundation funding to support two projects:  Smart Polymer Composite Materials & Structures Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)  & Louis Stokes Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Pathways and Research Alliances: Louis Stokes Louisiana Alliance for Minority Participation (LS-LAMP). 

 

Smart Polymer REU

The Smart Polymer REU received $312,000 to serve students from 4/1/2021 to 3/31/2024. Project leadership includes OSI Associate Vice President Dr. Guoqiang Li as the principal investigator, OSI Director Dr. Tyrslai Williams-Carter as co-principal investigator, and Dr. Kristen Williams, who serves as the program manager. 

The 2021 Smart Polymer REU site award supports undergraduate students for 10 weeks during the summers of 2021 to 2024. Participants will pursue interdisciplinary research projects in chemistry, mechanical engineering, and architecture. Students will be mentored by faculty and receive professional development trainings focused on research and scientific communication. The REU site strives to broaden participation and prepare students for graduate school and the future STEM workforce. 

This year, the program will run from May 24 – July 30, 2021 with some students participating remotely working on virtual research projects and others working in research labs on campus. Participants will attend research seminars and professional development workshops and have multiple opportunities to present their summer research. SMART REU faculty mentors span chemistry, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, and architecture disciplines. 

LS-LAMP Program 

As part of the Louisiana Louis Stokes Alliance, the LS-LAMP Program received a five-year award and $25,000 for the first year of funding.  During the grant period of 1/2/2021 to 12/31/2025, the program will serve underrepresented STEM students interested in pursuing PhDs in STEM.

OSI data, communications, and LS-LAMP program manager,  Melissa Crawford serves as the principal investigator, and Drs. Isiah Warner and Tyrslai Williams-Carter serve as co-principal investigators. 

The LS-LAMP Program at Louisiana State University focuses on helping its scholars navigate their STEM degree programs by providing a nurturing and smaller environment within our larger university through individualized mentoring, professional development, research training, and preparation for graduate school programs.  Scholars join a small community of like-minded STEM students, who share similar goals and are motivated to succeed. In addition to participating in program activities, all LAMP Scholars also engage in undergraduate research and community service.