Delaware State University (DSU) will establish the Center for Research and Education in Optical Sciences and Applications (CREOSA). Its mission will be to (1) promote multidisciplinary research and education in optics and the related fields of physics, chemistry, engineering, computer science, mathematics, and biology; (2) enhance the research capabilities of DSU by engaging faculty in research that integrates the education of a diverse population of students; (3) provide a rich intellectual environment for collaborative research among faculty and students from various departments; and (4) develop research and educational collaborations with the larger community, including industry, minority-serving colleges and universities, other universities, and high schools.
Optical science will be the primary research focus , because it is intrinsically interdisciplinary, offering rich capabilities with exciting applications and innovations in many fields. DSU will use existing core competencies and facilities as the foundation to build CREOSA into world-class optics center that will involve and mentor high school, undergraduate, and graduate students at DSU, preparing many underrepresented minority students for STEM graduate studies and careers. Also through CREOSA, research engagement will become a common thread from introductory coursework through graduation, and the Center will grow multidisciplinary collaborations within and beyond campus.
The goals of CREOSA are to: 1. Integrate strong and dynamic research with education in optical sciences and applications to enhance the research environment at DSU. 2. Develop multidisciplinary collaborations involving a diverse population of students and faculty from DSU and beyond. 3. Work with STEM departments to increase the number of underrepresented undergraduate and graduate students in STEM, with the goal of doubling STEM degree production within 10 years. 4. Create and implement STEM curricula that incorporate research engagement, including a senior thesis option. 5. Strengthen the research infrastructure at DSU in terms of people, equipment, and access to scientific information. 6. Lay the foundations for a PhD program in optical sciences.
The Center for Research and Education in Optical Science and Applications (CREOSA) NSF-CREST was established at Delaware State University (DSU) in September, 2006. The center has been highly successful in a) promoting multidisciplinary research and education in optical sciences, b) enhancing the research capabilities by engaging a diverse population of students, and c) providing a rich intellectual environment for research. During the last five years, the center has contributed to advanced research and developing new technologies that have led to new knowledge and discoveries in early detection of diseases and preventive medicine. Following is a brief outline of some of the major scientific contributions of the center during the recent years. By combining novel spectroscopic, biochemical and data mining methods, CREOSA scientists have devised highly sensitive methods for detecting biomarkers of interest in complex samples, which are often difficult to analyze using the traditional methods. A record high sensitivity has been achieved in detecting biomarkers for epithelial ovarian cancer by using a method called laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy. This work has generated significant interest with high technology companies, and led to the first intellectual property transfer at DSU. In parallel, another method known as photothermal spectroscopy has been developed to measure linear and nonlinear absorption in complex samples with unprecedented sensitivities. This has paved the way for developing a photothermal microscope at the center which is now being used to image biomarkers at extremely low concentration for analysis and detection purposes. Thus far, CREOSA research have resulted in more than 166 peer-reviewed journal papers, 36 conference proceedings, nearly 160 conference presentations, and 4 books and book chapters. The center has been instrumental in creating transformative changes in educational, research and outreach programs at DSU. A large number of undergraduate students are participating in the research and educational programs offered by the center. This includes a major participation of the underrepresented STEM students leading to a three-fold increase in the number of students of the Department of Physics and Pre-Engineering (DPPE) at DSU. The center has prepared a new generation of optical scientists through its M.S. and Ph.D. programs in Optics. These programs have expanded the DPPE curricula by adding new courses, and several new educational research laboratories in the department. The scientific infrastructure has also substantially diversified and expanded the research and educational programs at the center. By virtue of the center, new experts have been hired as faculty members in the department. In general, the center has strengthened the infrastructure and productivity at DSU in terms of personnel, shared equipment, and laboratory space etc. Based on the performance of the center, the State of Delaware has taken an initiative to construct a new ‘Optics Research Building’ in the campus where the center will be housed in future. The building will provide a host of advanced optical research laboratories and shared research facilities to support the research needs for the CREOSA scientists. The construction of this building will be completed during a two years time frame. The completion will represent an important landmark for CREOSA as a top research and educational center in Delaware and the rest of the Mid-Atlantic region. Today, the center represents a vital and integral part of our university. It will continue to thrive for excellence in research and education with a decisive participation of minority students, and will play an increasingly important role in the years to come.
