Jim Wicksted, Associate Director

Oklahoma EPSCoR

Presented at the Oklahoma Grant Administrators Meeting

Northeastern Oklahoma State University - Broken Arrow

November 14, 2008

OK EPSCoR’s New RII AwardOK EPSCoR’s New RII Award

WHAT IS EPSCoR?

Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research”

EPSCoR is a merit based science and technology (S&T) initiative to improve the

research capacity capability and competitiveness in states that historically

have not received significant federal research and development (R&D) funding.

National Science Foundation

Research Infrastructure Improvement Grants:

60-month grants of up to $15 million to support infrastructure improvements in S&T areas selected by the state’s EPSCoR governing committee as being critical to its future R&D competitiveness.

Current Project: $9 million – Frank Waxman, PI - 2005-2008

Current Project: $20.5 million – Jim Wicksted, PI - 2008-2013

BUILDING OKLAHOMA’S LEADERSHIP ROLE IN CELLULOSIC BIOENERGY

Objective 1. Discover molecular mechanisms and tools for biomass development

Objective 2. Effective conversion of biomass to liquid fuels

Instead of looking solely at corn, researchers at OSU, OU and Noble Foundation will study all types of perennial grasses, including switchgrass.

Why Switchgrass?

• Indigenous to Oklahoma• Non-food feedstock requiring lower

amounts of fertilizer and water• Good yield, strong seed production• Lower costs required• Grows in poor soils• More tolerant to flooding and droughts• Large potential for underutilized acres

(marginal lands)

Potential for Oklahoma

• Governor’s Biofuels Coalition– 25% of energy needs through biofuels by

2025 {25x’25 Alliance}

• In Oklahoma by 2025*– 2.4 billion gallons of biofuels per year– 43.3 billion KWh of electricity– 134,000 new jobs– $13 billion in economic activity

* Dr. Ernie Shea, 25x25’ Project Coordinator

Research Needs

• Still need higher biomass yields:Current potential: 4.5 to 7.5 tons/acreWant to go as high as 11 tons/acre {doubling as has

been done with corn}

• Improve stress tolerance to:– Drought– Herbicide (weed elimination)

• Improve nutrient requirements:– Less fertilizer required– Less nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions

• Reduction in Greenhouse Gases and improved carbon sequestration

BUILDING OKLAHOMA’S LEADERSHIP ROLE IN CELLULOSIC BIOENERGY

Utilizing molecular-genetic, genomic and transgenic approaches to improve biomass accumulation and stress tolerance, and decrease lignin content in switchgrass

Functional genomic and molecular mapping approaches to identify expressed unigenes and major genes for improved biomass production and reduced cell wall in switchgrass

Microbial conversion (Enzymatic) Catalytic/chemical conversion

EHR Outreach Initiatives

Entrepreneurship Entrepreneurial Workshops Industry Internships Business Plan Competitions i2E Commercialization Vouchers

 

Public Outreach Research Day at the State Capitol Partnerships Science Museums Sci Tech Student Reporting Awards

 

K-12 Student Development Bioenergy Summer Technology Academies Educational Robotics Teams (BOTBALL) OKMN Mobile Science Vehicle

Postsecondary Outreach Comanche Nation College (Information Tech.) Supplemental Instruction Program

at Langston University GRE Preparation at Langston University Research Experiences for Undergraduates Oklahoma Research Day for Regional Universities Women in Science Conference Travel for Students to Professional Meetings NSF SURE-STEP at UCO

Faculty Development Research Opportunity Awards - ROAs Annual State Conference NSF Grants Workshop OU Supercomputing Symposium NSF ADVANCE NEW PROJECTS

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AT COMANCHE NATION COLLEGE

Salary support for IT Technician

Provide support for enhancing both needed laboratory capabilities and

cyberinfrastructure in order to promote a cultural-based approach for students pursuing programs in the STEM disciplines.

Postsecondary Student Development

SUPPLEMENTAL INSTRUCTION PROGRAM

Supplemental Instruction (SI) program for gatekeeper courses (i.e., algebra, biology & chemistry)

NO STIGMA - targets the class rather than the individualto promote success

Participation is strictly voluntary

Peer mentors lead study session

Offered to increase retention rates

Students who participated showed gains at nearly a full grade letter better than non-participants

Postsecondary Student Development

OK RESEARCH DAY FOR REGIONAL UNIVERSITIES

Showcase contributions of undergraduate students to statewide research efforts (regional & community colleges)

~750-800 attendees annually

Allows students to share results from research in poster and oral presentations

Postsecondary Student Development

WOMEN IN SCIENCE CONFERENCES

Successfully draws between 500-600 participants

Conferences provide keynote address, interactive panel discussions, recruitment fair and career planning sessions & teacher’s lounge with resources/info on summer research opportunities

Includes entrance into Science Museum Oklahoma (hands-on science exhibits)

Postsecondary Student Development

RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY AWARDS (ROA)

Faculty Development

Summer research opportunities for regional university faculty

Paired with mentors at research-intensive campuses (OU, OUHSC, OSU, TU, OMRF, SNRF, etc.)

Selected on a competitive basis

Expands Oklahoma’s research efforts across the state 

Aides in development of ongoing collaborations between junior and senior level faculty

Faculty Development

Annual State Conferences – ~200 faculty & students

Gather to share research results & future trendsScientific poster session for RII theme area

NSF Grants Workshops – ~150 faculty & students

Nuts & bolts of grant writing

NSF Program Officers share info on directorates & funding opportunities

GOAL 1: Increase the number and quality of proposals submitted to NSF and other funding agencies

GOAL 2: Encourage collaboration

NEW RESEARCH PROJECTSEPSCoR Directors Funding Additional Research Projects

Faculty Development

“Corrosion Monitoring Equipment”PI: Joseph Suflita, OU, Dept. of Botany & Microbiology & Sarkey’s Energy CtrEquipment & graduate student support

“Geographical Signatures of Bacterial Nanowires”*Estella Atekwana, OSU, School of GeologyPreliminary data to be used for future NSF proposal

New/Additional Projects Funds

“Stillwater Children’s Museum – Museum Without Walls”

“Physics Masters Program at University of Tulsa with Emphasis on Nanoscience” PI: Dr. Parameswar Hari

EntrepreneurshipGOAL: In collaboration with i2E, Inc., provide resources for students and faculty in pursuit of entrepreneurial opportunities and support development of high tech business in the state

OK Governor’s Cup Statewide Collegiate Business Plan Competition

Competition sponsored by Donald W. Reynolds Foundation with partners including EPSCoR & i2E to encourage students to develop and implement businesses

Competition kick-off: “Who Wants to Be an Entrepreneur?”

8 businesses launched by winners

One winner received $80K SBIR grant (USDA)

I2E Commercialization Vouchers

$1K vouchers to researchers for commercialization assessment of inventions

30 technologies assessed

7 resulted in new start-up companies

25 resulted in commercial development

~10 potential licensing opportunities

EntrepreneurshipGOAL: In collaboration with i2E, Inc., provide resources for students and faculty in pursuit of entrepreneurial opportunities and support development of high tech business in the state

Who wants to be an Entrepreneur?

EPSCoR teams up with the i2E to sponsor this interactive workshop which is designed to assist Oklahoma’s entrepreneurial-minded college students by addressing topics in the workshop ranging from business plans to venture capital financing. This workshop attracts 100-150 students and faculty.

Barry Moltz, author of “You Need to be a Little Crazy” signed copies of his book at the 2006 Who Wants to be an Entrepreneur Workshop.  

OCAST Industry PartnershipsGOAL: In collaboration with OCAST, Oklahoma NSF EPSCoR provides support ($10,000/per internship) for two research internships each year to engage students in industrial settings. Industry internships are offered to encourage undergraduate students to prepare for careers in scientific and technical fields including areas that support high-tech companies in Oklahoma.  OCAST assists the EPSCoR program by matching students to industrial partners desiring student interns.  

Kyle Hatcher, left and Jamie Meade, right, both from Redlands Community College, received internships for Martin Biochem.

655 Research Parkway, Suite 200Oklahoma City, OK 73104405.225.9459Fax 405.225.9230

Oklahoma CityFrank Waxman, State DirectorDawn Scott, Administrative CoordinatorShelley Wear, Programs Coordinator

StillwaterJim Wicksted, Assoc. Dir.Valerie Pogue, Program ManagerPat Greer, Administrative Asst.

415 WhitehurstStillwater, OK 74078-1038405.744.9964Fax 405.744.7688

Oklahoma EPSCoR Websitehttp://okepscor.org/

Oklahoma EPSCoR

Bioenergy Summer Technology Academies

INTEGRATING GPS & GIS INTO K-12 CLASSROOMS

"I really thank the staff and teachers for a good time and helping me when I was struggling, and I really appreciate it. I would hope to be back as a mentor next year.“

~Student Participant

Use GPS & GIS mapping to increase positive attitudes of students & teachers toward STEM

Participants learn topics on biofuels and bioenergy

Offered student mentoring opportunities

Broadened participation of women & minorities

9 Summer Academies/2 Mini-Academies

411 students & 37 teachers

44 students served as mentors

Half of all participants were female

Minority Participation: Yr. 1 - 50% (25% American Indian)Yr. 2 - 69% (62% African American) Yr. 3 - 60% (50% African American)

“I have used my summer academy model to help write four subsequent grants, two of which have been funded and the other two are still waiting for a decision.”

~Dr. David Brown, Project Coordinator

Research Opportunity Awards (ROAs)GOAL 1: Provide funds ($10 K) and opportunities for faculty at Regional

Colleges to conduct Research at Oklahoma’s Comprehensive Universities (OSU, OU, TU)

GOAL 2: Encourage collaboration

Previous Awardees Mauricio A. Sanchez of UCO worked with Dr. Feng C. Lai at OU on

a project titled “Discrete Ordinate Simulation of the Propagation of Incident Flux In Aoritc Tissue”.

Dr. Xiaomin Ma of ORU worked with Dr. Hazem H. Refai at OU on a project titled "Summer Research on Vehicular Ad Hoc Wireless Communication System”.

Dr. Evan Lemley of UCO worked with Dr. Dimitrios V. Papavassiliou at OU on a project titled “Microfluidic Pressure Losses in T and Y Junctions”.

Dr. Mohamed Bingabr of UCO worked with Dr. Robert Rennaker at OU on a project titled “Auditory Nervous System Coding of Sound”.

OU Supercomputing SymposiaFaculty Development

Event Organized by Dr. Henry Neeman, Director, OU Supercomputing Center for Education & Research

Bring Oklahoma researchers together to discuss the use of supercomputing in science and engineering research

Hosts >250 faculty, staff and student participants annually

RESEARCH DAY AT THE CAPITOLPublic Outreach

Photo courtesy State Capitol Photographer

College & university presidents nominate research projects

Students receive training on poster preparation

$250 stipend to develop poster/display

Legislators and public invited to attend

Students compete in poster competition

Year 3 - 2 categories research-intensiveregional & community colleges(1st - $500, 2nd - $250, 3rd - $100)

One overall grand prize winner received summer research internship at Oklahoma college or university of choice plus $500 cash prize (REU)