September 15

Hattiesburg, MS - The Univeristy of Southern Mississippi School of Polymers and High Performance Materials was recently awarded the following competitive awards:

NSF GK-12: Connections in the Classroom – Molecules to Muscles

PI: Morgan coPIs: Heinhorst (chemistry/biochemistry), Herron (biology), Wiggins (polymer science)


$2,344,900 over 5 yearsThe NSF GK-12 provides graduate fellowships to graduate students in polymer science and engineering, biological sciences, chemistry and biochemistry. The program is designed to improve fellows’ communication, teaching and interdisciplinary research skills. Fellows will partner with high school teachers in local schools and develop curriculum enhancement activities to tie their research with the science curriculum. They will work with teachers to provide laboratory activities for the students, and will help develop science fair activities. Molecules to Muscles will relate research in biopolymers and synthetic polymers, from nutrition and muscle growth to advanced materials for sports equipment and protection of athletes and soldiers, to MS Science Curriculum Framework. The goal is to provide ‘real world’ application of science topics to issues important to high school students, while helping fellows develop strategies to communicate their results to an audience not composed of experts in their field.

    2010-2011 Fellows:
  • Austin Baranek – Polymer Science
  • Bobby Cook – Polymer Science
  • Susan DeVries – Biological Sciences
  • Todd Hartlage – Polymer Science
  • Lauren Kucera – Polymer Science
  • Jake Ray – Polymer Science
  • Monica Watkins – Polymer Science
    2010-2011 Lead Teachers:
  • James Brownlow – Hattiesburg HS
  • Charles Johnson – Forrest County AHS
  • Daniel Polon - HHS
  • Thelma Ratliff – FC AHS
  • Clara Short - HHS
  • Desshondra Walker - HHS
  • Ginger Wright – FC AHS

 

NSF: A Rapid Response Proposal for Mitigating the Deposition of Oil on Shores via Oil Anti-Deposition Strategies

PI: Lochhead coPIs: Morgan, Savin 
$149,955 over 1 year

When oil spills threaten shorelines dispersants are used to break up the oil into smaller droplets. This keeps the oil in deep water and helps to prevent it from washing ashore where there would be much greater environmental impact. However, oil still remains in the environment and washes ashore with devastating effects on wetlands, beaches and the wild-life thereon. In the current crisis, it is desirable to find ways to mitigate the effects on the coastline and on coastal wildlife, of the oil released from the Deepwater Horizon site. This project is an attempt to define nontoxic biodegradable treatments that would prevent the oil from adhering to coastal sand and soil, waterfowl, and wetlands plants. In order to respond to this emergency it is essential to reach out to technologies and materials that can be rapidly deployed at the appropriate scale and that can be applied in the environment with minimal impact on the ecology.

NSF REU Site: REU Site for Sustainable Aerospace and Marine Polymer Composites

PI: Daniel Savin coPI: Sarah Morgan 
$344,000 over 3 years

The NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) site provides opportunities for undergraduate students to perform research with graduate students and faculty to introduce them to graduate level University research. Polymer composites are cutting edge materials that combine low weight with energy efficiency to create new developments in energy, aerospace, marine, electronic, automotive, sporting goods and biomedical applications. This summer we have over 20 REU participants from across the country doing research in all areas of composite development – including matrix synthesis, molecular characterization, materials testing and computational modeling for systems in solution, bulk, films and on surfaces.

NSF PFI: A Multinational Partnership to Incite Innovation Via New Generation Tailored Polymers at Interfaces

PI: R.Y. Lochhead coPIs: Wiesenberg, Morgan, Patton, Graben 
$600,000 over 3 years

The NSF awarded a $600,000, three year grant to the SPHPM, “A Multinational Partnership to Incite Innovation Via New Generation Tailored Polymers at Interfaces” (PFI). The program is directed by Dr. Robert Lochhead, director of SPHPM. Co-PI’s on the project are Dr. Denis Wiesenburg, Dr. Joe Graben, Dr. Sarah Morgan and Dr. Derek Patton. The PFI is a partnership between USM, Jones Junior College and industrial mentors ranging from local entrepreneurs to multinational corporations. The goal of the project is to accelerate the rate of discovery in polymer science through introduction of new tools and processes, and will be linked to expansion of research capabilities in The Garden. “We are very excited to embark on this partnership” says Lochhead, director of SPHPM. “The National Science Foundation funding will enable us to establish a sustainable industry/university partnership that will create new, high tech jobs in Mississippi.” The PFI will support graduate stipends, and industry partners will provide graduate and undergraduate internships.

Department of Education: Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) program

PI: R.Y. Lochhead coPIs: Morgan, Patton 
$653,280 over 3 years

The SPHPM received an award from the U.S. Dept. of Education as part of the Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) program. The department will receive $217,760 per year for three years for a total of $653,280 to support graduate stipends in polymer science and engineering for five U.S. students annually. The GAANN program will be directed by Prof.’s Robert Y. Lochhead, Derek Patton and Sarah Morgan. “We are delighted to receive this highly competitive award that will help us to attract and sustain highly qualified students from Mississippi and across the United States,” says Lochhead, director of the SPHPM. “Polymer Science and Engineering is recognized as an area of national need for economic, security and scientific growth and advancement.” The Southern Miss program focuses on students expressing interesting in teaching and research careers.

    SPHPM Students receiving GAANN fellowships are:
  • Ryan Hensarling
  • Olivia McNair
  • Ashley Montgomery
  • Lea Paslay
  • Katherine Frank

 

Congratulations to the students, faculty, and staff members thats make this all possible! 

 

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