Research Development Fund Annual Report
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Research Development Fund, Annual Report - FY 2013 Angelo State University Angelo State - RDF Annual Report, entry 1 of 11 Title Molecular Identification of Unknown Bat Species from the Texas Department of State Health Services Description Funds supported student research assistant and supplies to conduct tests. Purpose/Intent To identify unknown bat species obtained from the Texas Department of State Health Services via DNA testing. What makes this project Confirming the species identification via DNA analysis is important for two reasons: 1) it a good investment for assists with understanding the prevalence and distribution of specific strains of the rabies the state or institution? virus, and 2) it refines researchers' understanding of bat species distributions in the state of Texas. This project also provided valuable research experiences for students. Financial Salaries/Wages for New or Reassigned FTEs $4,015 Salaries/Wages for Existing FTEs $0 Operating Expenses $2,984 Capital Expenditures $0 Total $6,999 Angelo State - RDF Annual Report, entry 2 of 11 Title The Effects of Technology-Enhanced Assessments on Learning Outcomes in Graduate Nursing and Physical Therapy Students Description Funds supported graduate student research assistants and the purchase of software to conduct research. Purpose/Intent To test new technology-based educational methods for the purpose of improving online education practices. What makes this project By testing these technology based educational methods for graduate education, the a good investment for researchers are helping to improve online and classroom based education in vital health the state or institution? sciences fields (nursing & physical therapy). This research is ongoing and initial findings will be disseminated in spring 2014. Financial Salaries/Wages for New or Reassigned FTEs $4,050 Salaries/Wages for Existing FTEs $0 Operating Expenses $7,809 Capital Expenditures $0 Total $11,859 Page 1 of 187 Angelo State - RDF Annual Report, entry 3 of 11 Title Equipment for Food Microbiology Research Description Funds supported the purchase of a refrigerator, large-capacity incubator. Purpose/Intent To conduct food microbiology research, including substantial use in a USDA funded project to survey Salmonella spp. levels in lamb and goat products within the state, nation, and in Latin America. What makes this project The large capacity incubator allows the lab to handle a large number of samples at one a good investment for time, and data collected from the samples will be analyzed and interpreted in scientific the state or institution? publications. The results will help inform state and national producers in producing a safe product (beef, pork, lamb, and goat) for public consumption. Financial Salaries/Wages for New or Reassigned FTEs $0 Salaries/Wages for Existing FTEs $0 Operating Expenses $13,955 Capital Expenditures $0 Total $13,955 Angelo State - RDF Annual Report, entry 4 of 11 Title Start-up Funding to Establish a Cell-Culture Laboratory in Physical Therapy Description Funds supported the purchase of small equipment and supplies for a cell culture laboratory as well as travel and supplies for the collection of pilot data. Purpose/Intent To study the effects of light and ultrasound therapies on insulin-producing cells (in vitro studies). What makes this project The benefits of this project are twofold: 1) it allowed for the development of a new cell a good investment for culture laboratory (and related student research experiences) in physical therapy, and 2) the state or institution? it supported the collection of pilot data regarding the impact of light and ultrasound therapies on insulinoma cells, which may inform future treatment options for diabetes and other conditions affecting the pancreas. Financial Salaries/Wages for New or Reassigned FTEs $0 Salaries/Wages for Existing FTEs $0 Operating Expenses $9,435 Capital Expenditures $0 Total $9,435 Page 2 of 187 Angelo State - RDF Annual Report, entry 5 of 11 Title Foreign Aid, Workers' Remittances, Reform, and Policy and Economic Growth in Jordan Description Funds supported a student research assistant and travel to disseminate findings. Purpose/Intent To investigate the impact of foreign aid and workers' remittances on economic growth in Jordan. What makes this project The benefits are threefold: 1) the analysis conducted can be expanded to other aid a good investment for recipient countries, especially those in the MENA region, 2) the study involved students the state or institution? in important economic research, and 3) it will be submitted to a peer reviewed journal, providing recognition for ASU and the region. Financial Salaries/Wages for New or Reassigned FTEs $218 Salaries/Wages for Existing FTEs $0 Operating Expenses $1,170 Capital Expenditures $0 Total $1,388 Angelo State - RDF Annual Report, entry 6 of 11 Title Finding Consensus Computationally without Encouraging Insincerity Description Funds supported an undergraduate research assistant, travel (to work with a collaborator), and the purchase of supplies. Purpose/Intent To explore computational voting theory in the context of budget allocation and achieving consensus, including the design of new computational methods. What makes this project The findings of this research have the potential to inform allocation of resources at an a good investment for institution in a manner that limits how any one member may unduly influence outcomes. the state or institution? Additionally, a promising undergraduate student engaged in a meaningful research experience and is considering graduate school. Financial Salaries/Wages for New or Reassigned FTEs $941 Salaries/Wages for Existing FTEs $0 Operating Expenses $1,030 Capital Expenditures $0 Total $1,971 Page 3 of 187 Angelo State - RDF Annual Report, entry 7 of 11 Title Small Equipment and Supplies for Biochemistry Research Description Funds were used to purchase a refrigerator and supplies. Purpose/Intent To provide continued support of the biochemistry research lab, including supplies for protein research and equipment (refrigerator) to store bacterial plates and chemical reagents. What makes this project A variety of research projects are conducted in this lab, including research on protein a good investment for folding, which has implications for research on human diseases, and making the state or institution? electrocompetent cells, which allows for overproduction of proteins of interest for in depth study. All projects involve undergraduates in research, many of whom go on to graduate or professional programs following graduation. Financial Salaries/Wages for New or Reassigned FTEs $0 Salaries/Wages for Existing FTEs $0 Operating Expenses $4,661 Capital Expenditures $0 Total $4,661 Angelo State - RDF Annual Report, entry 8 of 11 Title Start-up Funding to Establish a Networking/Security Research Lab Description Funds were used to purchase an extra workstation for the new networking/security research lab. Purpose/Intent To support the development of a computer networking and security research lab that also allows for the involvement of undergraduates in research. What makes this project In recent years, computer networking and security have become increasingly important. a good investment for Establishment of this lab will allow ASU faculty and students to research new and the state or institution? innovative solutions to network and computer security. Financial Salaries/Wages for New or Reassigned FTEs $0 Salaries/Wages for Existing FTEs $0 Operating Expenses $1,292 Capital Expenditures $0 Total $1,292 Page 4 of 187 Angelo State - RDF Annual Report, entry 9 of 11 Title Using Stepped Wedge Design to Evaluate Educational Outcomes in Baccalaureate Nursing Students Description Funds were used to support faculty training, travel, and consultation necessary to learn and use this newer research design. Purpose/Intent To determine the feasibility and utility of the stepped wedge trial design--which is more commonly used in clinical research--in the field of nursing education research. What makes this project Use of the stepped wedge design in educational research will potentially allow educators a good investment for to track ongoing attainment of learning outcomes in students, particularly in the field of the state or institution? nursing. Financial Salaries/Wages for New or Reassigned FTEs $5,100 Salaries/Wages for Existing FTEs $0 Operating Expenses $1,104 Capital Expenditures $0 Total $6,204 Angelo State - RDF Annual Report, entry 10 of 11 Title Start-up Funding to Establish an Inorganic Chemistry Lab Description Funds were used to purchase small equipment and supplies and for the dissemination of results. Purpose/Intent To support the start-up of an inorganic chemistry lab with an emphasis on hydrothermal synthesis experimentation and structural characterization of the resulting inorganic lanthanide compounds and Metal Organic Frameworks. What makes this project This research, which involves undergraduate chemistry students, may provide findings a good investment for related to the long term isolation and storage of nuclear materials and the creation of the state or institution? materials with interesting magnetic or electronic properties. Financial Salaries/Wages for New or Reassigned FTEs $0 Salaries/Wages for Existing FTEs $0 Operating Expenses $14,584 Capital Expenditures $0 Total $14,584 Page 5 of 187 Angelo State - RDF Annual Report, entry 11 of 11 Title Maintenance and Repair of Research Equipment Description Funds