Professor Jen-Wei Lin Awarded NSF PoLS Grant
Associate Professor Jen-Wei Lin is participating in a NSF PoLS (Physics of Living Systems) grant awarded to Boston Children’s Hospital and Boston University. "Biophysical Mechanisms of Ultrasound Modulation of Cellular Functions in the MHz Domain" is a new 5-year, $750,000 grant. The goal of this grant is to investigate how ultrasound may stimulate neurons. The Lin Lab at BU will use crayfish neuromuscular junction to study the cellular mechanisms underlying ultrasound stimulation. Dr. Okada’s lab at Boston Children’s Hospital will investigate the effect of ultrasound on the brains of rats. Since ultrasound in MHz range may penetrate the skull, it has the potential to be developed into noninvasive brain stimulation technology.
Chen Lab Participating in NSF NeuroNex Grant Research
Assistant Professor Jerry Chen is participating in a NSF-supported Neurotechnology hub named the Next generation multiphoton neuroimaging consortium (Nemonic). The goal of the Nemonic project, funded at $9M, is to develop and widely disseminate state-of-the-art technology for multiphoton imaging and associated techniques to the neuroscience community, and to advance emerging technology for future innovation in multiphoton neuroimaging. Nemonic is one of 17 Next Generation Networks for Neuroscience (NeuroNex) awards to aid the research community as it pursues one of its grandest challenges: understanding the brain. The overall goal of this activity is to establish a coherent national infrastructure to enhance our understanding of brain function across organizational levels and a diversity of species. The University of North Carolina is the lead institution with 5 partner institutions including 9 labs, of which the Chen lab is one. With $0.8M in funding for the next four years, Chen will be working to develop novel imaging systems capable of monitoring activity over large populations of neurons across the mammalian brain.
UROP Research Engages BU Biology Students and Faculty
Linnea Smith is investigating the leaf longevity of evergreen species at the Arnold Arboretum in Jamaica Plain as the focus of her UROP research, working with Biology Professor Richard Primack.
Professor Templer Awarded 3-Year NSF Grant
Professor Pam Templer is PI on a newly awarded NSF NRT training grant to Boston University. “Boston UniverCity: Partnering Graduate Students and Cities to Tackle Urban Environmental Challenges" is a new $3 million five-year program that will train students from the interdisciplinary PhD program in Biogeoscience (students from Biology, Earth & Environment, Archaeology) and the Environmental Health PhD program in the School of Public Health. Along with Professor Templer, Professor Lucy Hutyra of BU's Department of Earth and Environment, and Professor Jonathan Levy of BU's School of Public Health are co-PIs on the grant.
Professor Finzi Collaborating on DOE-Funded Center
Professor Adrien Finzi is participating in a large collaborative DOE-supported center grant. This new $104M center is designed to lay the scientific groundwork for a new bio-based economy that promises to yield a range of important new products and fuels derived directly from nonfood biomass. The University of Illinois is the lead institution with over 16 partner institutions, of which the Finzi Lab is one. With $2.5M in funding for the next five years, Finzi will be working with members of the Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation [CABBI] to develop advanced bioenergy products while simultaneously helping to solve climate change through enhanced carbon sequestration.
Tim Maguire’s Research Highlighted by the Council of Graduate Schools
Ph.D. candidate, Tim Maguire, of the Fulweiler lab has been highlighted by the Council of Graduate Schools. Tim’s research investigates the effects of climate change on silica production in trees and his dissertation defense is scheduled for next week. See more at http://cgsnet.org/gradimpact-understanding-how-climate-change-may-profoundly-impact-ecosystem
Katey Lesneski Presented Research at the Ewha-Luce International Seminar in South Korea
PhD candidate,Katey Lesneski, of the Kaufman lab recently returned from the Ewha-Luce International Seminar (ELIS) in South Korea where she presented her research on techniques she is using for long-term studies to identify colonies suitable for reef restoration.
"The seminar was a great way to meet other leading women in STEM, whether they were graduate students, professors, or industry leaders. It was also a wonderful opportunity for cultural exchange between myself, other students from the US, and students from East Asia, learning everything from traditional Korean culture and visiting palaces, to trying new very spicy foods, and hiking a UNESCO world heritage site and even touring the DMZ!" - Katey Lesneski
The program is supported by Ewha Womans University and the Henry Luce Foundation as part of their efforts to cultivate the next generation of global female leaders in science.
Professor Primack in the News
Professor Richard Primack has been featured prominently in several recent articles, with topics ranging from Henry David Thoreau's contributions to science, to the use of drones in ecological research, to the importance of work-life balance in academia.
Gallinat and Primack Article Wins EXCEL Award
PhD candidate Amanda Gallinat and Professor Richard Primack’s article titled Spring Budburst in a Changing Climate, published in American Scientist’s March/April 2016 volume, won an a Gold EXCEL Award. Congratulations to Gallinat and Professor Primack!
Professor Celenza Appointed Director of UROP
BU Biology Professor John Celenza has been appointed as the Director of the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) at Boston University. UROP was started in 1997, and since it began, it has connected more than 4,000 BU undergraduates to a range of extraordinary research experiences across the natural sciences, medicine, the arts, humanities, and social sciences, both here in Boston and abroad.
As a Professor of Biology and Directory of the Program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Professor Celenza has long been involved in UROP as a mentor as well as a member of the award review committee. Professor Celenza's goals as Director of the UROP program include further developing the program's multidisciplinary reach and impact, as well as creating and supporting opportunities that align with the BU Hub curriculum.
Congratulations to Professor Celenza!