Excerpts from 2007 Highlights Workshop

• Please write research Highlights when asked to

• Voluntary• Helps a lot with our annual funding request

How to Tell the Story?• Clear and concise

• Written for the Public

• Compelling images

• No text size limit…some highlights may be short, while others require more words

• Put the “news” up front; e.g., impact statements (quantitative or strong qualitative outcomes).

• Title and lead-in sentence should engage the reader.

• Identify PI and his/her campus, but avoid listing all project personnel. Note only the number of participating institutions if more than a few.

• Remember your reader may not be a scientist!

Writing Highlights

Highlights Text• Describe the problem/issue that motivated

the research• What are the key knowledge gaps? • Describe results--tell what was achieved

and put it in the context of learning and impact on scientific knowledge

Highlight Text (cont.)• What was the significant outcome?• Describe approach and why it is unique• How was frontier of research and

knowledge expanded?• Contributions to learning and workforce

development?• Broader societal impacts?

Summarize the ImportanceHelp the reader (AC/GPA member or general public) understand:

• Why is this result important?

• What impact on current scientific research?

• How will it benefit society?

Images• Not required but nice to have…adds to the

story!• Always ask if a photo is available• Caption and credits are important• Get permission when possible

– Not required for AC/GPA database, but permission may be requested later if Highlight is used for other purposes.

Example 1: Building Better Bones

Researchers at the Georgia Tech/Emory Center for the Engineering of Living Tissues (GTEC) have developed a new minimally invasive technology for repairing bone defects and soft tissue injuries. A fast-gelling polymer can be injected to fill irregular gaps in a variety of tissues--bridging defects, stabilizing the damaged area, and promoting growth.

Building Better Bones (Cont.)

Cells and bioactive agents such as proteins can be embedded in the gel to promote enhanced regeneration of bone and nerve cells.

Among other uses, this technology offers a promising approach to treating spinal cord injuries, which are now largely untreatable.

Building Better Bones - Image Added

(left) Intact spinal cord; (center) Spinal cord with a cavity in dorsal spinal cord; (right) Injury cavity filled with in situ gelling polymer. Permission Granted

Credit: Georgia Tech/Emory Center for the Engineering of Living Tissues

Example 2: Hydrogen Storage Pulls Itself Together

Asemblon, Inc., a start-up company formed by researchers at the University of Washington’s Engineered Biomaterials Engineering Research Center (UWEB), is producing a new material with significant potential for storing and distributing hydrogen—a capability that's critical for deploying hydrogen-fueled cars and achieving greater energy self-sufficiency in the U.S.

Hydrogen Storage Pulls Itself Together (Cont.)

UWEB researchers developed the new material—comprised of novel self-assembled monolayers—and then formed Asemblon to produce and market it. Initial applications were in biotechnology, molecular electronics and other areas.

Hydrogen Storage Pulls Itself Together (Cont.)

Asemblon discovered that the material also allows hydrogen to be chemically stored and released to generate energy when it is needed. Once hydrogen has been released, the material can be recycled and re-used. Asemblon has established a separate division aimed at optimizing hydrogen storage capacity and release through its patented process and ultimately marketing the products.

A Self-Assembled Monolayer

Credit: Dan Graham, Asemblon

Parting Thought

• Clear reporting ofRESULTS and IMPACT

of research is important.• Not just what/how something was

done/discovered• but why was this research important• (and a good investment of the

Foundation's funds).

Directs

• Original by Amaranth L. Vimme• Minor revisions by Charlie Bridge

Disclaimer: The opinions stated herein may or may not be the opinions of our employer.