This Academic Research Facilities Modernization Program (ARFMP) award from the Research Facilities Office provides funds to West Virginia University for the renovation and repair of the West Virginia University Geo-data Processing Laboratory which is a part of the Department of Geology and Geography. The West Virginia University Geo-data Processing Laboratory focuses on the integrated storage, processing, and analysis of spatial and geophysical data, and it supports research and research training in the fields of geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing, digital mapping, spatial statistics, and geophysics. The building which houses the Geo-data Processing Laboratory was constructed in 1942 and last renovated in 1981. The ARFMP grant of $180,000 and $212,752 provided by the grantee as cost sharing will be used to modernize these research and research training facilities. This project will address significant deficiencies of the current research infrastructure by providing (a) electrical circuitry sufficient to support all the equipment, (b) temperature control and ventilation adequate to prevent computer shutdown, (c) suitable lighting, (d) necessary conduit and computer cabling to enable the full potential of the computer system to be used, and (e) a reconfiguration of the individual laboratories into more suitable sizes. Benefits accruing from this renovation will be the improvement and expansion of system use. This award contributes to the infrastructure of science by providing an improved environment for the conduct of research and for the training of undergraduate and graduate students. Students trained in these laboratories will have command of a technology which has great potential to facilitate advances in many fields of science.
