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Research Office Newsletter - September 2008 Tech Receives over $450,000 for Underground Rock Deformation Monitoring System
Site Visit to the Homestake Mine (August 13, 2008) Montana Tech secured $488,776 from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for the purchase of cutting edge fiber optic and tiltmeter sensor systems for monitoring deformations in deep underground facilities. The sensor system will be used to measure rock changes in tunnels, mines and underground laboratories to provide a safe working environment.
Dr. Mary MacLaughlin from the Geological Engineering Department will lead the project with David Reichhardt from the Petroleum Engineering Department. A graduate student, Noni, will be using the equipment for her master’s thesis research project. Herbert Wang at the University of Wisconsin Madison was instrumental in getting the project off the ground.
Measurements by the sensor system will create a database for geomechanics, hydrology and geoengineering. The information will also aid in understanding the deformation of rock masses over time. The new equipment will provide Montana Tech researchers and students opportunities to conduct geosciences research in a large, in situ, underground laboratory with three-dimensional access.
The sensor system is intended for use at the proposed Deep Underground Science and Engineering Laboratory (DUSEL) at the former Homestake Mine in Lead, South Dakota. DUSEL is part of the National Science Foundation Deep Science Initiative to create a strong U.S. program in underground research. Underground laboratories provide opportunities to study physics, astrophysics, biology, geosciences, and engineering in a unique environment. If completed as envisioned by the design team, the Homestake Mine would be the largest and deepest facility for underground research in the world.
Clark Fork Watershed Education Program Announces $1.044 Million in New Funding
(June 26,2008) The Clark Fork Watershed Education Program (CFWEP) received over $1,000,000 in new funding from the State of Montana Natural Resource Damage Program (NRDP) and Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) to provide science education to students and teachers in Western Montana.
The mission of the Clark Fork Watershed Education Program is “Using the Upper Clark Fork basin as an outdoor laboratory and professional scientists as instructors, CFWEP works with students and their teachers to foster environmental stewardship and science-based decision-making.” CFWEP is part of Montana Tech’s Technical Outreach Department which provides K-12 teachers and students with programs in science, engineering and technology. CFWEP staff are Program Director Matt Vincent, Jennifer Titus, Justin Ringsak, Rayelynn Connole, Theresa Seccomb, Bernice Phelps, and Technical Outreach Director Amy Verlanic.
CFWEP uses hands-on activities to teach students and teachers about the history of the Upper Clark Fork basin and the health of the watershed. Outdoor activities led by local experts and volunteers give students opportunities to experience the watershed first-hand. Funding from the $319,000 from NRDP will provide Clark Fork basin restoration education to students in grades five through eight from Butte to Missoula. OPI’s award of $725,000 will be used to deliver professional development to over 70 teachers in Western Montana. Tech Presents Distinguished Researcher Awards(April 25, 2008) Montana Tech recognized outstanding contributions to college research efforts by faculty and staff with the presentation of the 7th Annual Distinguished Researcher Awards to four individuals. A committee selected two annual award winners and two lifetime award winners from nominations submitted by the campus. Awardees receive $1,000 and a plaque acknowledging their achievements.
Tech Research Funding Summary 2007 - 2008
Associate Vice Chancellor's CornerWelcome back to the Research Office newsletter. After several fits and starts we are back in the publishing business, now with a more modern web look using electrons and photons instead of molecules. We will plan on a semiannual communication until and if events dictate otherwise.
Irvenea Kavanagh As most know, long time Administrator of the Research Office, Irvena Kavanagh, passed away on August 18th at her home in Whitehall. She ran the office since the mid 80’s and was responsible for training the writer, although he was a slow and difficult pupil. I know I speak for all in saying that she will be greatly missed at Montana Tech.
As sad as I am to announce Irvena’s passing, I am equally pleased to introduce her replacement. The campus conducted a search for a new Administrative Assistant for the Research Office in the spring and was very fortunate to hire Ms Margaret M. Patton (Margie). She is a Butte native with a double degree from the University of Montana in Anthropology and Radio-Television Production. If you have not met Margie, please stop by to say hello. Her phone number is 496-4102, email mpatton@mtech.edu
Elsewhere in this newsletter you will find a list of new tenure track faculty. Please welcome them to our community of scholars. The Research Office looks forward to assisting them in developing their research and scholarly activity agendas. New Fringe and Indirect Cost Rates: Effective September 1, 2008See Indirect Cost and Benefits on the Policy and Procedures page for the most up-to-date rates. Tech Welcomes New Tenure Track FacultyMontana Tech academic departments have been busy recruiting new tenure track faculty over the last spring and summer. The Research Office is pleased to welcome these new members to the Montana Tech community.
What is Research.gov?
Research.gov is a new partnership of federal research grant agencies led by the National Science Foundation (NSF). The goal is to provide a single location where researchers can access grant information and services for multiple federal agencies while improving the grants management process. Federal agencies partnered with the National Science Foundation are the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Department of Defense (DOD) and the United States Department of Agriculture’s Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service (CSREES). According to the Research.gov website, services for each agency and its grantees will be developed and introduced over the next year. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) will continue to use its own grants system eRA Commons. Research.gov offers services such as grants application status, award information, and a policy library. In the future the website will feature grant services such as financial reporting, payment requests, and performance progress reporting. Eventually, Research.gov will integrate with a new and improved Fastlane system for grant applications and management.
New FundingDr. Roger Jensen, Safety, Health & Industrial Hygiene: Combined Undergraduate and Graduate Training Program, $535,000 from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) 7/1/08 - 6/30/13 Did you know? Tips and TricksDownload and print Montana Tech’s Principal Investigator’s Handbook and Principal Investigator's Handbook Inserts from the Research Office Website.
You can check out reviewer’s comments for any of your declined proposals on NSF Fastlane. Access Proposal Status; released reviews will appear at the bottom of the page.
A PDF of the Proposal Certification Form is available on the Research Office Website, or stop by the office for a copy.
You need a login and password in order to upload documents to NSF Fastlane. Contact the Research Office to get signed up.
Want to try out Fastlane without actually submitting a proposal? Check out the Fastlane demonstration site for walkthroughs of Fastlane systems and functions.
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