A $2.7 million ‘stimulus’
Focus ranges from algebra to outer space
Vaccines haven’t been the only shots in the arm on campus this fall.
Cal State L.A. researchers recently received more than $2.7 million in federal “stimulus” funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
According to Cal State L.A.’s Office of Research and Development (ORAD)
Director Philip LaPolt, the funding-provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (or “stimulus bill”)—
includes $2.1 million from NSF for six new grants, and $578,356 from NIH to supplement four existing NIH grants.
The NSF grants support the following projects (with principal investigators
listed): research into chromium isotopes and measurements of environmental co... morentamination (Andre Ellis); opportunities for four students to travel to Ireland for molecular-separation and microfluidics research (Frank Gomez); a partnership with Montebello Unified School District
to improve algebra learning and teaching in high school (Borislava Gutarts); a collaboration with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory to provide undergraduates opportunities to work on pioneering astronomical research (Milan Mijic); an exploration of how the unusual reduction of phosphorous in a termite’s gut might potentially lead to new ways of producing bioactive compounds (Tina Salmassi); and MOEBIUS, curriculum development and network support for the University’s new Blended Mathematics Teacher Preparation Program (which combines pursuit of the undergraduate degree in mathematics with that of a California Single-Subject
teaching credential to accelerate students’ progress).
The NIH projects receiving a “stimulus” boost include Howard Xu’s work on detection of microbial pathogens, Ray De Leon’s research into robotic training of rats and spinal-injury
recovery, and two Carlos Gutiérrez projects to foster research experience for students.
LaPolt said the awards meet a key “stimulus” function by creating jobs for research technicians and students employed in research and training. “They also strengthen the scientific enterprise,” he said.
The University is awaiting word on pending grant proposals that seek an additional $32 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding from NSF, NIH and the Department of Education.
Since July 1, 2009, overall nearly 50 new and continuing grants and contracts have been awarded, representing a wide array of disciplines and more than $14 million this year, LaPolt said.
Last June, ORAD moved to Golden Eagle 314, near the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP). The offices both provide pre-award services to faculty and other prinicipal investigators. ORAD promotes research opportunities and overseeing compliance issues; and ORSP, as the designated Sponsored Programs Administrator, handles administrative, technical and financial issues related to proposal submission and administration. Either office may be reached at ext. 3-5366.
Congresswoman Judy Chu, pictured talking to students in Professor Howard Xu's lab, visited Cal State L.A. Nov. 12 as part of her tour of businesses in her district that received federal stimulus funding. back | |
Outstanding professors honored
As part of the annual Fall Faculty Day
tradition, four CSULA professors were presented the annual Outstanding Professor Awards and one professor was presented the President’s Distinguished Professor Award.
These five professors, consistently rated
highly by CSULA students, have each been described as “exemplary,” “so inspiring,” “remember[ed] for a lifetime,” “very knowledgable” and “a gentleman scholar.”
President’s Distinguished Professor
A highly regarded literary critic and author,
Roberto Cantú (Chicano Studies/English) is this year’s President’s Distinguished Professor. A scholar of Chicano, Latin American, Mesoamerican and Mexican literature, he received CSULA’s 1990-91 Outstanding Professor Award.
This spring, Cantú translated for the
... more
British Council the work of leading contem-porary Mexican poets Coral Bracho, Araceli
Mancilla, Rocío González, and Natalia Toledo.
Outstanding Professors
Presented with Outstanding Professor Awards were Manuel Aguilar (Art), an art historian who involves students in his research around the country and abroad; Laura Calderon (Kinesiology and Nutritional Science), a registered dietitian who is an advocate of community health and nutrition; Lili Tabrizi (Electrical and Computer Engineering), a specialist in control systems recognized for coordinating one of the best professional engineering licensing programs in Los Angeles; and Wayne Tikkanen (Chemistry and Biochemistry), a student advocate and scientist whose research has garnered major grants.
For detailed profiles of these professors, go to www.calstatela.edu/univ/ppa/newsrel/opa08-09.htm.
Pictured: (front, l-r) Manuel Aguilar, Laura Calderon, Roberto Cantú, Lili Tabrizi, and Wayne Tikkanen; (back, l-r) President James M. Rosser, Provost Desdemona Cardoza, OPA Selection Committee chair Domnita Dumitrescu, and Academic Senate chair Robert Land. back | |
Nursing’s Ling honored for ‘superior work’
Described as a “highly committed, hard-working self-starter,” Monica Ling was named this year’s Outstanding Staff Award honoree.
Ling, administrative support assistant for the School of Nursing, was selected from among 11 nominations by colleagues, faculty and students.
According to a colleague, “It is the work
ethic, dedication, and tireless effort in
fulfilling her duties that sets Ling apart. She
has demonstrated an ability to adapt to any
given situation, continuing to produce the
same level of superior work.”
A University staff member for more than a
decade, Ling also serves as a test proctor
for the University Testing Center. She has
also volunteered at the University’s annual
Grad Fair to provide seniors with information and resources for graduation... more.
A Cal State L.A. alumna, she achieved her
bachelor’s degree in sociology with a minor
in communication studies.
Cal State L.A. also honored employees
with 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 and 40 years of
service at its annual event.
40-Year Awardee
Lucille Burgess, Enrollment Management (posthumous)
35-Year Awardees
Yvonne Hasegawa, University Library
Raul Leyva, Facilities Services
Denise Pike, Admissions
Jill Setsuda, Charter College of Education
Peggy Wong, University Library
30-Year Awardees
Sheila Blaise, Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology
Paul Drozd, Facilities Services
Beatriz Encinas, Educational Opportunity Program
Sara Hart Tobin, Physics and Astronomy
Terryl Hunter, Admissions
Thien-Thanh Loi, IT Financial and Support Services
Henry Matsumura, ITS Help Desk Account Services
Linda Nuñez, Admissions
Patricia Quan, Biological Sciences
Denise Watson-Cross, Human Resources Management
25-Year Awardees
Kathy Anderson, Registrar’s Office
James Divecchio, University Police
Christine Dosland, University Police
Brenda Edmond, Extended Education
Richard Gutierrez, Property Management
Ramona Martinez, Disbursement
Barbara Pereida, Undergraduate Studies
Tony Salazar, Student Financial Aid
Janet Yup, Budget Administration
20-Year Awardees
Efren Flores, Facilities Services
Yolanda Galvan, English
Rosario Guerrero, Facilities Services
Robin Hall, Extended Education
Ronald Johnson, Physics and Astronomy
Henry Liao, IT Infrastructure Services
Gabriel Magana, Facilities Services
Rosa Mejia, University Police
Teresa Metcalf-Yzaguirre, Student Services
Lan Nguyen, Business Financial Services
Roger Nuñez, Facilities Services
Michael Obermeyer, Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology
Cristina Seanez-Berkley, Finance and Business Law
Linda Thome-Loera, Extended Education
Michael Tureaud, Facilities Services
15-Year Awardees
Esther Couttolenc, Charter College of Education
Edmund Gean, IT Infrastructure Services
Rosa Jiménez, Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology
Richard Maddox (2008), Early Entrance Program
Gloria Mendoza, Academic Affairs
Jesse Murillo, Chemistry and Biochemistry
Nick Santoianni, Administrative Technology
Jerri Shean, Extended Education
Judy Wynne, Luckman Fine Arts Complex
Alisa Zepeda-Madrid, Educational Opportunity Program
10-Year Awardees
Christopher Castoreno, University Police
Lisa Deboef, Upward Bound Programs
Fausto Esquivel, University Police
Ulysses Gutierrez, University Police
Lauren Haramoto, Charter College of Education
Nelson Herrera, Kinesiology and Nutritional Science
Christina Hua, University Library
Peter Jones, Theatre Arts and Dance
Sandy Kwong, University Library
Chris Lam, Health and Human Services
Monica Ling, Nursing
Raymond Lomax, Student Health Center
Armando Marquez, Printing Center
Claudia Martinez, Business Financial Services
Maria Murillo, Geological Sciences
Pilar Perez, University Auxiliary Services
Janet Phu, Admissions
Maria Scoglio, Special Education and Counseling
Reyna Torres, University Tutorial Center
Gina Valdez, University Auxiliary Services
Karen Von Lawn, Applied and Advanced Studies in Education
Bryon Wada, University Library
Phillip White, Office for Students with Disabilities back | |
