TOWSON UNIVERSITY
Grant: $307,323 - National Science Foundation - Aug. 5, 2009
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Award Description: The 400 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer will significantly boost the scope and volume of multi-disciplinary research projects available to students at Towson University. The instrument will receive heavy use in 7 research projects spanning 5 sub-disciplines: (1) Analytical Chemistry: characterization of methacrylate dyes for the synthesis of photo-activated environmental sensors potentially capable of enhanced protection from poisoning; (2) Biochemistry: mapping of the binding site of aminoglycoside antibiotics on TAR RNA, a fragment from the HIV genome; (3) Molecular Biology: characterization of isotopically labeled acyclovir, and monitor the pharmacokinetics of controlled release of the drug and its metabolites in a mouse model; (4) Organic Chemistry: (a) Determination of precise estimates of the lifetimes of short-lived carbonyloxy radicals; (b) Elucidation of mechanisms of organic pesticide decomposition; (5) Organometallic Chemistry: (a) Characterization of coordination complexes of chiral sulfoxide ligands for applications as chiral molecular switches; (b) Investigation of the structure and reactivity of bifunctional phosphanyl(organyl)boranes. The intellectual merit is based on our research accomplishments. We have a demonstrated record of managing high-quality undergraduate research laboratories, regularly publishing papers in peer-reviewed journals with our undergraduate collaborators, and participating in NSF-REU programs. The multi-disciplinary research coming from our laboratories is performed by undergraduates, and has contributed to new approaches to bifunctional ligand synthesis; predictions of the chemical fate of organic pesticides; elucidation of the nature and dynamics of radical pairs in organic media; the first transient IR and matrix EPR detection of reactive organic intermediates; and the patent-pending creation of silicone-acyclovir controlled release devices against herpesvirus infections. The NMR spectrometer will advance existing projects of senior faculty, and enable successful establishment of the junior faculty’s research. This project will enhance our research and instructional missions, thus contributing to the State of Maryland’s need for a diverse workforce trained in STEM. This goal supports Towson University’s emphasis on strong interaction and partnerships with the local region. The Top 10% Program guarantees Towson University admission to seniors from Baltimore area public high schools in the top 10% of their graduating class. The NSF-funded TOPS program is dedicated to increasing the number of Towson University students from the Baltimore area successfully completing a B.S. degree in STEM. The NIH-funded Bridges Program promotes the transfer and retention of minority students from area community colleges to Towson University. The Women in Science Program is geared at enhancing the enrollment and retention of female students in the experimental sciences. All these programs contribute to Towson’s enrollment plan to diversify the student population through targeted outreach. Research projects facilitated by the NMR spectrometer will directly support and expand Towson’s efforts to extend career opportunities in STEM to women and minorities, and thus contribute to the State of Maryland’s efforts to diversify this sector of the state economy.
Project Description: The 400 MHz NMR spectrometer will support multidisciplinary research. The projects of three established faculty (Margulies, Muhoro and Ryzhkov) and three new assistant professors (Brunker, Soto and Stitzel) underscore the intellectual merit of this proposal and span the areas of: (1) Analytical Chemistry, (2) Biochemistry, (3) Molecular Biology, (4) Organic Chemistry, and (5) Organometallic Chemistry. Five chemists and one molecular biologist will conduct research described in this revised proposal with undergraduates, and support interdisciplinary programs within Towson University’s Fisher College of Science and Mathematics. The 400 MHz NMR spectrometer at Towson University will facilitate the following broader impacts: • boost faculty-student research productivity of peer-reviewed, published and fundable research; • support existing extramurally NSF- and NIH-funded programs; • foster interdisciplinary research collaborations between faculty; • enhance departmental competitiveness in securing extramural funding; • augment the Chemistry Department’s ability to attract quality faculty; • meet current student demand for research experiences in the Department of Chemistry and its affiliated programs; • provide high-quality instruction on modern instrumentation in advanced lab courses; • assure the continued ACS-certification of the chemistry program; • attract underrepresented minority groups to STEM research experiences; • supply a diverse, much-needed, highly skilled scientific workforce to the State of Maryland.
Jobs Summary: N/A (Total jobs reported: 0)
Project Status: Less Than 50% Completed
This award's data was last updated on Aug. 5, 2009. Help expand these official descriptions using the wiki below.
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