NASA Nebraska Space Grants over $41,000 for College of Saint Mary

NASA Nebraska Space Grant has awarded $41,910 to College of Saint Mary for the 2016-2017 academic year. They include grants for research, higher education, teacher training, and several student fellowships.

• NASA Nebraska Space Grant, Research: Dr. Dunesh Kumari
• NASA Nebraska Space Grant, Research: Dr. Phyllis Higley
• NASA Nebraska Space Grant, Higher Education: Dr. Ganesh Naik
• NASA Nebraska Space Grants, Teacher Training and Higher Education, Dr. Amanda Roe
• NASA Nebraska Fellowships: Kylen Pierce, Nicolette Larsen, Shiloh Carroll, Karen Saavedra

NASA Nebraska Space Grant: Research

Dr. Dunesh Kumari, CSM assistant professor of chemistry, was awarded $5,000 for her research, Curcumin and resveratrol combination as potent antioxidants to prevent oxidative stress associated with space travel. CSM will provide an additional $8,435.

“Astronauts are exposed to a variety of potential hazardous agents during space travel,” says Kumari, “including chemical contaminants and cosmic radiation from high energy particles.”

Kumari’s research will study the combination of curcumin and resveratrol as potent antioxidants, which can be harnessed to prevent the degenerative diseases caused by oxidative stress associated with space travel.

NASA Nebraska also awarded two CSM students with Space Grant Fellowships. Nicolette Larsen, a junior double-majoring in biology and chemistry, received $4,000 for her work on the antioxidant potential of both pure curcumin and resveratrol, as well in combination.

Senior biology student Kylen Pierce received $2,000 for an unrelated project which will examine chloride and fluoride in drinking water. Pierce will test a variety of public water sources, including Omaha city tap water, in order to understand their effects on public health and environmental health.

NASA Nebraska Space Grant: Research

Dr. Phyllis Higley, director of CSM’s biology program and associate professor of biology, was awarded $4,300 for her research project, Epidemiology of Phythium root rot in hydroponically grown lettuce. CSM will contribute an additional $7,624.

“One of the goals of NASA’s Human Exploration and Operations is to grow plants on the International Space Station both for food and for the psychological well-being of the astronauts,” says Higley. “This study will support successful plant culture by helping identify and alleviate plant disease limitations.

“It’s also in line with NASA’s Office of Education goals by providing opportunities to strengthen the STEM education of women in Nebraska, both minority and non-minority.”

Two CSM students were awarded Space Grant Fellowships in conjunction with Higley’s research. NASA Nebraska granted biology sophomore Shiloh Carroll, $2,000, and senior biology student Karen Saavedra, $6,000 for their research on the evaluation of plant disease on hydroponic plants.

NASA Nebraska Space Grant: Higher Education

Dr. Ganesh Naik, director of CSM’s chemistry program and associate professor of chemistry, was awarded a $6,610 Higher Education Grant for Connecting science and chemistry through curricular and co-curricular activities. College of Saint Mary’s contribution towards Naik’s project is $9,969.

“Traditionally, fewer women than men pursue science as a profession, says Naik, “CSM is focused on developing signature STEM programs to attract women to these areas of study.” 

Naik’s project will enhance CSM students’ understanding of climate change in chemistry and sustainability courses through activities such as classroom education, workshops, field trips, and by using interactive tools and mobile app technology.

An added plus, says Naik, is that students will learn about a fairly new area of study. Green chemistry is the design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate a generation of hazardous substances.                                                                                   

NASA Nebraska Space Grant: Teacher Training & Higher Education

Dr. Amanda Roe, CSM assistant professor of biology, received NASA Nebraska grants for two different, but related projects.

Roe received $3,000 for the Science Enrichment Workshop Series. CSM will contribute $7,828. Other supporters of the Workshop Series include the VWR Charitable Foundation, and the Claire M Hubbard Foundation.

The project’s overriding goal is to generate elementary students’ interest in science by increasing the number and quality of science interactions between students and teachers. The workshops will provide educators with the tools they need to enrich their students’ STEM activities. 

“Our workshops provide teachers with authentic STEM experiences which will enable them to increase and improve STEM experiences in their classrooms,” says Roe.

The second project is the College of Saint Mary’s Elementary Science Outreach Program, which will receive a $4,000 award from NASA Nebraska. CSM will contribute $7,828.

Two CSM students were awarded NASA Space Grant Fellowship in conjunction with the outreach program. Nicolette Larsen received $2,000, and junior biology major Niki Sansburn received $3,000.

“The outreach program will provide elementary students with engaging science activities designed to stimulate interest in STEM fields,” says Roe. “CSM students visit local elementary schools and teach science activities that can really get young students interested in STEM topics.”

The elementary students won’t be the only ones who benefit, she adds.

“For the CSM student, this service learning project enables her to apply her knowledge in teaching youth, ultimately creating a deeper understanding and application of their scientific knowledge.

A win-win situation for both students and future teachers.