4 UAH researchers get total of $336,926 in infrastructure improvement funds

Four faculty and research staff at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) have been awarded a total of $336,926 in Research Infrastructure Fund (RIF) program funds by the Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development.

Initially funded at a total of $250,000, the program was expanded by Dr. Ray Vaughn, vice president for research and economic development, to fund the successful proposals.

"I'm always impressed by the innovative ideas of our research faculty and their potential for external funding," says Dr. Vaughn. "Based on the reviews of the committee, I was convinced to fund more than originally anticipated."

The researchers awarded, their centers and/or departments, and their projects are:

• Dr. Vladimir Florinski, Center for Space Plasma and Aeronomic Research, "The CSPAR Supercomputer Redux";
• Dr. Kavan Hazeli, Propulsion Research Center/Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, "Ultra-High Speed Imaging to Discover Hidden Science";
• Dr. Yu Lei, Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, "Developing Nanoporous Materials to Obtain Clean Water and Sustainable Energy";
• Dr. Shannon Mathis, Department of Kinesiology, "Duel-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry: Investigation of Bone Health."

A total of 19 proposals were received. Proposals went through a three-tier review process to arrive at the award selections. They were first reviewed by the applicant’s college or center, then prioritized by Academic Affairs and the vice president for research and economic development, and then were reviewed by a RIF review committee.

The review committee consisted of one senior faculty member appointed by the dean of each of the degree-awarding colleges, two research center directors appointed by the vice president for research and economic development, and one member of the Faculty Senate.