Through a new HBCU Research Infrastructure in Science and Engineering award, Tuskegee University (TU) proposes to elevate its Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) program to a higher level so that its impact may considerably be broadened. The project will implement a three-part program that will
(a) Enhance research capability in synthesis and characterization of nanoparticles for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications;
(b) Develop a cohort of students not only at the Ph.D. level but also at the Master's level so that they can be nurtured and motivated to continue their studies in the Ph.D. program; and
(c) Provide seed funds for younger faculty members to enable them to become active in research and education in MSE.
Through earlier Center for Research Excellence in Science and Technology (CREST) and other grants funded through the National Science Foundation, Tuskegee University (TU) has developed a robust research and educational program in Materials Science and Engineering and initiated its first Ph.D. program in MSE. TU has now become the largest producer of African American PhDs in MSE. In an effort to provide sustained support for and commitment to this program, the TU administration has established the Department of MSE, which is the only department at a Historically Black University.
Intellectual Merit The proposed research activities include chemical synthesis and analysis, surface analysis, processing, and performance evaluation of a variety of nanobiomaterials. The processes and knowledge developed through this research will help in fields such as drug delivery and pharmaceutical applications. These research activities are expected to generate new knowledge about the interaction of nanoparticles with biological systems and compatibility in developing new drug delivery systems. Another outcome of this research is in developing the new multifunctional polymer composites. Implementation of a Master's degree program in MSE will allow Tuskegee to serve a larger number of students who wish to complete a Master's degree in MSE before joining the Ph.D. Program. This will also enhance the quality of students entering the Ph.D. program. Offering start-up funds to junior STEM faculty and pairing them with seasoned faculty members for effective mentoring will enable them to develop their research expertise in nanobiomaterials.
Broader impact The broader impacts of this project include production of a large number of African Americans with baccalaureate through doctorate degrees with a strong background in the emerging areas of materials science and engineering. These students will be trained to have excellent communication and interpersonal skills as well. Such graduates should become role models for many young minority students in years to come. Moreover, these graduates will help bring much-needed diversity to the Nation's advanced technological workforce. The "Start-Up Funds for Junior Faculty" program will address the issue of shortage of minority faculty in MSE, particularly, in nanobiomaterials science and engineering. The research findings are expected to contribute significantly to the science and technology knowledge base of nanobiomaterials. Broader societal impact includes improved capabilities in biomedical and pharmaceutical fields.
Research Infrastructure in Materials Science and Engineering Shaik Jeelani, Heshmat Aglan, Legand Burge, Pradosh Ray (TU), Vijaya K Rangari (TU) Jaya Chandra Ramapuram (Auburn University) The Research Infrastructure in Materials Science and Engineering (RISE) grant to Tuskegee University (TU) has allowed TU to significantly enhance its research and educational capabilities in Materials Science and Engineering and provide funds for junior faculty. Through the current grant, We have implemented the following three-part program: a) Enhancement of research capability in synthesis and characterization of nanoparticles for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications, b) Development of a cohort of students not only at the Ph.D. level but also at the Master’s level so that they could be nurtured and motivated to continue their studies in the Ph.D. program, and c) to groom younger faculty members to enable them to become active in research and education in Materials Science and Engineering. a) We have completed the following seven research projects which cover a broad range in the use of nanoparticles for biomedical and pharmaceutical applications: 1) Synthesis and Characterization of Silver, Zinc Oxide and Hybrid Silver/Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles for antimicrobial applications, 2) In-vitro interactions of CaCO3 nanoparticles with A-431 and HaCaT cell lines. 3) Effect of reinforcement of sustainable β-CaSiO3 nanoparticles in bio based epoxy resin system, 4) Electrodeposition of cobalt nanowires on H-terminated conductive Si(111) surfaces using co-block polymer templating. 5) Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications of Dendrimer-encapsulated Zero-valent Ni Nanoparticles as Antimicrobial Agents. 6) Histological Evaluation and in vivo Assessment of Intratumoral NIR Photothermal Nanotherapy induced Tumor Regression, and 7) Study of the pharmaceutical applications of calcium nanoparticles. We have teamed up with the Department of Pharmacy at Auburn University for pharmaceutical studies. b) We were successful in obtaining the approval of the Board of Trustees of TU for the establishment of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) in the College of Engineering. In September 2011, Dr. Subra Suresh, Director of the National Science Foundation, formally inaugurated the department. We have also received approval from the Board of Trustees to implement the Master’s degree program in Materials Science and Engineering, which was implemented in spring 2013. We have already graduated 12 students with the Master of Science degree in MSE. Four of them have transitioned to the Ph.D program in MSE. We have also produced 10 PhDs during the period of this grant. In future the MSE faculty plans to propose the development and implementation of a minor in MSE with a goal to produce STEM graduates who are well informed about structure and properties of materials and their role in the technological developments and the impact they have on the environment and the society. The minor in MSE will also serve as a feeder program for the Master’s and the Ph.D. Programs in MSE. The attached figure shows the Ph.D. recipients who benefited from the enhancement of the research infrastructure at TU through the HBCU-RISE grant. c) Through the current RISE grants we were able to provide seed funds to two junior faculty members. Their names and current positions are shown below. Dr. Michael Curry, Associate Professor of Chemistry. Dr. Maria Calhoun, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering The attached figure shows that through the CREST and the HBCU-RISE grants we have been able to support a total of nine junior faculty members to become productive research and move up in the academic ranks. This has been a very successful initiative. These faculty members have become active in materials research, education and outreach activities offered through the MSE program. Drs. Curry, Hossain, Lester, Floyd-Smith and Russell now have their own research grants and serve as research advisors for several graduate students at the Master’s level. Drs. Floyd Smith and Michael Curry have also been serving as the major professors for the Master’s and Ph.D. students in MSE.
