Here is a quick look at the interdisciplinary research projects supported by the institute.
2012-2013
“Probing Biomineral Formation through Novel Laser Imaging Polarimetry” — $57,000 for two years to
Rebecca Metzler and
Kiko Galvez (
physics and astronomy).
Project Details
The project will combine the physical optics involved in diagnosing complex light forms with the biophysical research of the biomineral surfaces made by various mollusk species. The colorful inner surfaces of mollusk shells are an example of the extraordinary biominerals that are produced by living organisms. These shells have a complex surface structure composed of micro-crystals intertwined with and cemented by bio-organic compounds. In an innovative combination of different approaches, Metzler, Galvez, and their students will study the polarization of the iridescent light reflected by the shells to obtain information about the composition and structures that give them their remarkable physical properties. — $90,000 for one year
Catherine Cardelús (biology),
Eliza Kent (religion),
Peter Klepeis (geography), and
Peter Scull (geography), along with
Margaret Lowman (NC Museum of Natural Sciences & NC State University) and Alemayehu Wassie Eshete (Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia)
Project Details
Some forests in northern Ethiopia are maintained as sacred sites around Christian Orthodox Tewahido Churches. Some of these church groves date from the 4th century AD; however, many are diminishing in size and diversity because of pressures from farming and gathering of firewood. In a rare collaboration across the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities, the funded research team and their students will collaborate closely with Ethiopian colleagues and local communities to assess whether and how cultural and religious stewardship of the sacred forests reduces negative impacts on these compromised ecosystems.
“An Integrated Approach to the Study of Ceramic Technology at Metaponto, a Greek City-state in Southern Italy” — $125,000 for two years to
Rebecca Miller Ammerman, Department of the Classics, and Ioannis Iliopoulos, University of Patras, Greece.
“Whole-ecosystem Restoration Through Liming of Acidified Tributary Streams in the Honnedaga Lake Basin in the Adirondack Mountains” — $70,000 for one year to
Randy Fuller, Department of Biology; Cliff Kraft and Don Josephson of Cornell University; Colin Beier and Mark Dovciak of SUNY-ESF; and Barry Baldigo and Greg Lawrence of the US Geological Survey.
“The Implications of Maturational Timing and Racial Stressors on the Mental Health of Racial Minority Young Adults” - $70,000 for two years to
Janel Benson, Department of Sociology and Anthropology and Brandon Yoo, Arizona State University
“Mathematical Methodologies for Art and Design” - $150,000 for two years to
DeWitt Godfrey, Department of Art & Art History;
Tom Tucker, Department of Mathematics; Tomaz Pisanski, University of Ljubljiana; and Daniel Bosia, Expedition Engineering, U.K.
“Sociogenomics of circadian rhythms and task behaviors in ants” - $78,476 for two years to
Krista Ingram, Department of Biology; Ian Bloch, Hebrew University of Jerusalem; and Rudolf Meier, National University of Singapore
“Ecophysiological, Biochemical, and Molecular Mechanisms of Desiccation Tolerance in Ferns” - $188,467 for two years to
James (Eddie) Watkins, Department of Biology;
Nancy Pruitt, Department of Biology and Melvin Oliver; USDA-ARS at the University of Missouri.
"Investigating the role of Sulf1 in control of stem cell maintenance and activation in sensory organs of frogs and fish” - $64,050 for two years to
Jason Meyers, Department of Biology, and Elizabeth Pownall, University of York
"Monitoring Infectious Disease Dynamics in Ugandan Mountain Gorilla, a Critically Endangered Species” - $67,400 for a second year to
Frank Frey, Department of Biology;
Peter Scull, Department of Geography; and
Ellen Kraly, Department of Geography
“Synchronization of Networks of Neurons Using Josephson Junctions” - $78,000 for a second year to
Dan Schult, Department of Mathematics;
Ken Segall, Department of Physics & Astronomy; and
Patrick Crotty, Department of Physics & Astronomy
"Monitoring Infectious Disease Dynamics in Ugandan Mountain Gorilla, a Critically Endangered Species” - $87,400 for one year to
Frank Frey, Department of Biology and
Peter Scull, Department of Geography
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“Synchronization of Networks of Neurons Using Josephson Junctions” - $78,000 for one year to
Dan Schult, Department of Mathematics;
Ken Segall, Department of Physics & Astronomy; and
Patrick Crotty, Department of Physics & Astronomy
"Comparative Analyses of Larval Development” - $90,000 for two years to
Damhnait McHugh, Department of Biology, with co-investigator Bruno Pernet, Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Long Beach
"Multimodal Learning of Second Language Speech Sounds” - $74,800 for two years to
Yukari Hirata, Department of East Asian Languages and
Spencer Kelly, Department of Psychology
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