The National Science Foundation (NSF) has honored 206 outstanding women nationwide this year with $13.7 million in awards through its Professional Opportunities for Women in Research and Education (POWRE) program.
These awards, one of NSF's investments in women scientists and engineers, promote the development of scholarly and institutional leaders in research and education in fields ranging from atomic physics to zoology.
NSF established POWRE in 1997 to help ensure the vitality, quality, distribution and effectiveness of the nation's human resource base in science and engineering, and to help overcome the under-representation of women in these fields. NSF's POWRE program supports efforts to facilitate the full participation of women in the science and engineering mainstream.
Awardees were selected from among 773 applicants. POWRE grants last between 12 and 18 months and range from $13,000 to $150,000 each.
"This year's grants exhibit a broad range of research and education projects," said POWRE program director Priscilla Nelson. This is especially true for fields in which women are underrepresented, she indicated.
By providing opportunities for career advancement, professional growth and increased stature of women in science and engineering, the POWRE program encourages women to pursue careers and achieve leadership positions in science and engineering. "At the same time, women scientists and engineers will obtain greater visibility and influence not only in academic institutions but in industry as well," said Nelson.
The POWRE program encompasses all areas of NSF-supported research and education in science and engineering and was developed to merge the previous targeted women's programs into one overall program. The programs incorporated into POWRE include the Career Advancement Award, Research Planning Grant, Faculty Award for Women, and Visiting Professorship for Women.
Editors: For a complete list of fiscal 1998 POWRE award recipients, including their institutions and their project descriptions, see: http://www.nsf.gov/home/crssprgm/powre/start.htm
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded 206 outstanding women scientists and engineers with grants from its Professional Opportunities for Women in Research and Education (POWRE) program. The awards help in career development in research and education, leading to enhanced positions of leadership. Use the grant numbers below to find more details on the world-wide web at http://www.nsf.gov/verity/srchawdf.htm.
Biological Sciences: grant #9805808
Learning and Application of New Methods to the Study of Mitochondrial
Heat Generating Mechanisms in Endothermic and Ectothermic Vertebrates
The researcher's ongoing project compares cellular and subcellular heat
generation in endothermic ("warm-blooded") and ectothermic ("cold-blooded")
vertebrates. The POWRE award is allowing Berner to learn new laboratory methods
to broaden the scope of the project already in progress, increasing the number
of questions that can be investigated.
Computer & Information Science & Engineering: grant #9806108
Geometric Algorithms for Landmark-based Mobile Robot Navigation
This young researcher at a small liberal arts college will develop a research
program in a promising new domain of robot navigation. The objective is to
develop efficient new geometric algorithms that allow a robot to find its way in
an unknown environment using visual landmarks. The long-term goals of the
research include the development of task-level strategies for robot navigation
in an environment without the aid of a global map.
Biological Sciences: grant #9806135
Eyespot Assembly in Chlamydomonas
Even some primitive single-celled organisms are complex enough to react to
light. Yet little is known about the origin and function of the eyespot in the
unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas. This organism is free-swimming and
phototactic, using its eyespot to detect light. Dieckmann will research the
light sensitivity and associated functional capabilities of this organism.
Education and Human Resources: grant #9806304
The Web as a Laboratory: Hands-On Astronomy in Large Lecture Courses
This project aims to incorporate rigorous, but fun, hands-on experience into
introductory science courses for non-science majors. Labs using the world-wide
web and custom software will present interactive astronomical images, allowing
students to magnify and process the pictures, make measurements and learn how
professional astronomers tackle critical questions. The labs will encourage
exploration and creative thinking and allow students to discover for themselves
the strengths and limitations of a variety of telescopes and instruments.
Mathematical and Physical Sciences: grant #9806151
Novel Inorganic Self-Assembled Monolayers: Boranes and Gold
The research aims to design and fabricate new types of inorganic self-assembled
monolayers (SAMs) on noble metal and oxide surfaces. This work could ultimately
benefit the manufacture of electronics, sensors and ultrathin coatings for use
in harsh environments.
Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences: grant #9806076
Testing the Structure Building Framework Using Functional Imaging
The investigator will incorporate functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI)
into behavioral studies, in order to further explore the cognitive processes and
mechanisms underlying language comprehension. Training skilled
behavioral-cognitive-psychological researchers to use more complex,
neuro-imaging techniques will allow the field to answer more complex questions
about brain activities that govern language.
Geosciences: grant #9805873
This research will help geologists understand the conditions of formation of a number of unusual and interesting rocks. The objectives are to determine how the minerals siderite (FeCO3) and magnesite (MgCO3) act and react under a variety of conditions of high pressure and temperature. These studies will provide tight constraints on how CO2 fluid behaves deep in the earth and provide information on oxidation state of the mantle and a better understanding of diamond formation.
Engineering: grant #9870435
Combined Corrosion Assessment Techniques for Evaluating the
Effect of Free Chlorine on Aged Cast Iron Water Distribution System Pipes
To make water safer to drink, disinfectants such as free chlorine are routinely
added to drinking water. But free chlorine can greatly increase corrosion of
pipes. This project will use traditional and newer corrosion assessment
techniques to study iron corrosion and allow the researcher to learn the use of
analytical techniques not traditionally applied to the study of pipe corrosion.
Media contact:
Lee Herring
703-306-1070/kherring@nsf.gov
Program contact:
Priscilla Nelson
703-306-1361/pnelson@nsf.gov