Source: Al Cochran, 785-532-4372, cochalw@k-state.edu
Monday, April 28, 2008
TARGETED EXCELLENCE GRANTS FOCUS ON FULFILLING K-STATE'S LAND-GRANT MISSION
MANHATTAN -- Three research programs focusing on Kansas State University's ability to improve the lives of Kansans were selected for grants from the university's Targeted Excellence program.
M. Duane Nellis, K-State provost and senior vice president, announced the awards, which are in their fifth year.
"This ongoing strategic investment in the university's existing and emerging strengths is transforming our research capabilities and facilitating the interaction of faculty members and students from all across campus," Nellis said. The Targeted Excellence program is a competitive initiative that supports and enhances cooperative, interdisciplinary programs that show promise of elevating K-State's stature as a top 10 land-grant institution.
From 25 pre-proposals, 12 were chosen to submit full proposals and, of those, three were selected for funding. Individual awards range from $515,000 to $850,000 over a three-year period. Funded proposals include:
* Advancing Genomics at K-State: Ultra-High Throughput DNA Sequencing, $850,000, with Eduard Akhunov, Bikram Gill, Frank White, Karen Garrett, James Nelson, Susan Brown, Loretta Johnson, Michael Herman, Jianming Yu, and Sanjeev Narayanan, Ludek Zurek and Doina Caragea as co-principal investigators.
* Aircraft Cabin Environmental Security, $640,000, with Mohammad Hosni, Byron Jones, Helmut Hirt and Andrew Smith as co-principal investigators.
* Enhancing Excellence in Grassland Ecology: a Center for Basic Grassland research at K-State, $515,000, with Anthony Joern and David Hartnett as co-principal investigators
A new call for Targeted Excellence proposals will be made in June.