DoR Communicator - October 2014

The October 2014 issue of the Division of Research newsletter.https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/research_newsletter/1017/thumbnail.jp

Investing in Maine Research Infrastructure: Sustainable Forest Bioproducts

The University of Maine, the University of Southern Maine, several baccalaureate institutions in the state, along with other federal, state and local public, private, and non-profit institutions will collaborate to create the Forest Bioproducts Research Institute (FBRI) at the University of Maine. The vision of the FBRI is to advance understanding about the scientific underpinnings, system behavior, and policy implications for the production of forest-based bioproducts that meet societal needs for materials, chemicals, and fuels in an economically and ecologically sustainable manner.The research plans Integrate three themes. They are (1) forest sustainability modeling of life cycle assessment, (2) integrated biopolymer separations and residual solids modifications, and (3) biological and chemical platform conversion technologies.The research capitalizes upon Maine\u27s unique position of having a large natural resource base, existing research capacities in pulp and paper, forestry, and wood products, along with a strong industrial presence. State, national, and global collaborations, including those with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, will contribute broader benefits to society as a result of this investment in forestry research.The FBRI will serve as the forest-based carbohydrate economy center of excellence for the region, with a primary goal of transitioning developed science and technology to the state\u27s industrial arena. State, national, and global impacts will be realized as a result of the investment in this research. In addition, a cadre of future engineers and scientists in multidisciplinary disciplines as well as policy-makers will result from the expected collaborations. Support is provided through the NSF Experimental Program To Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR)

Annual Report of the University, 1992-1993, Volumes 1-4

SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS Preparation, approval by President Peck, delivery to NMCHE of UNM\u27s response to House Memorials 38 and 25 (on minorities and women). Development and packaging of a presentation on minorities at UNM to Hispanic community people and organizations. Renewal of faculty instructional workload report and other information for use by President Peck and others in the President\u27s Council in testimony to the legislature on accountability by faculty. Significant workload and contributions to WICHE\u27s Diversity Project: - responses to long questionnaire - projected demographics - substitution for O. Forbes on planning for diversity Reprogramming of obsolete computer program of the University of Southern California\u27s Faculty Planning Model. Work remains incomplete. Support and staff work for University Planning Council, Faculty Senate Long Range Planning Committee, Senate President, Senate Budget Committee, Student Learning Outcomes Assessment Committee, Admissions and Registration Committee, Staff Council; Graduate Petition and grade Review Subcommittee Service to NMCHE\u27s Outcomes Assessment Advisory Group; NMCHE\u27s review group on diversity plans Service on Albuquerque Business/Education Compact Conducted several special data analyses to provide user outcome information for the Center for Academic Program Support (CAPS). Wrote reports to summarize analyses. Served in an advisory capacity to VP Zuniga Forbes for the two surveys (Campus Climate for Diversity, ACT Student Opinion Survey) and helped to draw the sample for the ACT survey. Conducted secondary analyses and prepared report of all analyses of the Freshman Survey (CIRP) for VP Zuniga Forbes. Gave presentation of CIRP findings to the Regents Subcommittee on Student Affairs. Conducted secondary analyses and prepared report of all analyses of the Campus Climate for Diversity Survey for VP Zuniga Forbes

Aligning Best Practices in Student Success and Career Preparedness: An Exploratory Study to Establish Pathways to STEM Careers for Undergraduate Minority Students

Undergraduate minority retention and graduation rates in STEM disciplines is a nationally recognized challenge for workforce growth and diversification. The Benjamin Banneker Scholars Program (BBSP) was a five-year undergraduate study developed to increase minority student retention and graduation rates at an HBCU. The program structure utilized a family model as a vehicle to orient students to the demands of college. Program activities integrated best K-12 practices and workforce skillsets to increase academic preparedness and career readiness. Findings revealed that a familial atmosphere improved academic performance, increased undergraduate research, and generated positive perceptions of faculty mentoring. Retention rates among BBSP participants averaged 88% compared to 39% among non-participant STEM peers. The BBSP graduation rate averaged 93% compared to 20% for non-participants. BBSP participants were more likely to gain employment in a STEM field or enter into a professional study. This paper furthers the body of research on STEM workforce diversity and presents a transferrable model for other institutions

Research Report 2013-2014

Introduction From the Chai Research Spotlight: Elena Litvinova, Ph.D. Refereed Publications Invited Presentations Contributed Presentations External Grant Activity (Submitted and Awarded) Notable Awards and Memberships Doctoral Dissertations and Master’s Theses Department Personne

Opportunities for WPI in Washington D.C.

The purpose of this project was to determine ways to raise awareness of opportunities available to WPI in the Washington, D.C. area. The team\u27s focus was to locate federal funding opportunities for WPI\u27s faculty, and to create relationships with foreign embassies where WPI currently has project centers. A database was created, detailing opportunities in D.C. to facilitate the identification of funding for WPI faculty. Recommendations were created to outline greatest potential mutual benefits between WPI and agencies. Visits occurred with officials at the South African and Thailand embassies. The team created and presented pamphlets outlining student projects completed in these countries. The embassy visits could lead to future collaboration between WPI and these nations