VTPP Science Friday conversations continue to be stimulating and helping develop more interactions. All faculty are encouraged to attend these important VTPP research- and mission-focused discussions. The next Science Friday discussions are scheduled via Zoom for Thursday 8:30AM, August 6 and August 27. Science Friday discussions have developed connections between faculty around areas of VTPP research strengths. The self-assembling teams are:
- Exposure Biology
- Bone/regeneration (frequent meetings, multiple applications submitted)
- CV Biology and metabolism
- Mechanobiology
- Endocrinology and Reproduction
- Oncology (has met and is active)
VTPP Seminar Series
The Fall seminar series will be here before we know it. Dr. Clement is hard at work re-engaging with faculty who could not present as the pandemic descended upon us. The series will re-commence in the Fall, most likely remote but hopefully with some opportunities for face-to-face seminars. VTPP is looking forward to re-invigorating the seminars with a mix of VTPP faculty, Texas A&M colleagues as well as outside speakers. We are actively working to re-engage the external speakers who were also unable to visit. Please let Dr. Clement know of other speakers you would like to hear. As always, please push, encourage and direct your graduate students to attend seminar.
Research in the pandemic at Texas A&M University
Much is still happening with the ongoing return to research. As research activities continue to ramp up, protective measures remain essential. Please continue to monitor the VPR website regarding the latest information available regarding changes to research related to COVID-19 conditions. https://vpr.tamu.edu/covid-19
Please remember to wear masks in all TAMU locations and minimize occupancy of elevators in all buildings, including all research buildings.
In-Person Undergraduate Research Guidelines: Guidance was recently released from the VPR. Directives apply to all undergraduate research activities including, but not limited to, credit-bearing research experiences, paid employment on a research project, paid lab-based student workers, organized undergraduate research programs, and research-oriented volunteer activities. Research supervisors who choose not to host undergraduate researchers for credit-bearing experiences should refer students to their academic advisor for any related adjustments to the student’s fall course schedule. Specific details are highlighted below:
- Research projects that students can complete remotely are exempt
- Unless previously approved prior to the start of the summer 2020 term, no undergraduate students may begin credit-bearing experiences or new paid research positions prior to the start of the fall 2020 term
- Research supervisors wishing to host undergraduate researchers or student workers in research positions in fall 2020 must provide their department head with a document describing:
- COVID-related safety measures ongoing in the research space including face covering, cleaning, physical distancing, and other measures as appropriate; the addition of undergraduate students in the research space must accommodate 6 ft physical distancing.
- All research-specific safety training (COVID- and facility/space-related) that undergraduate students will be required to complete prior to initiation of research activities.
Upcoming NIH Grant Deadlines and Opportunities
August 8: New, renewal, resubmission F Series Fellowships (including F31 Diversity – NOT-OD-17-029)
October 5: New R01 submissions
October 16: New R21 submissions
November 5: R01 renewal, resubmission, revision
November 15: R21 renewal, resubmission, revision
December 8: New, renewal, resubmission F Series Fellowships (including F31 Diversity – NOT-OD-17-029)
For more details and upcoming submission dates go to:
Upcoming NSF Grant Deadlines and Opportunities
August 6, 2020: Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)
August 11, 2020: Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER)
October 20, 2020: NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)
January 1-January 19, 2021: Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI)
For more details and upcoming submission dates go to:
https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_list.jsp?org=NSF&ord=date&page=4
Texas A&M Research Cores
VTPP Success provides links to TAMU research core that may help VTPP researchers and identify research resources in VTPP and across TAMU. This month we highlight the Texas A&M University Integrated Metabolomics Analysis Core (IMAC) (contact: Cory Klemashevich, PhD; [email protected]). IMAC (located at 300 Olsen Bl Room 402) began in 2016 as a strategic investment in TAMU research infrastructure. State-of-the-art technologies facilitate the study of the small molecules and metabolites contained within cells, tissues and biological fluids. IMAC expertise resides in the detection of small, polar compounds that are separated by liquid chromatography or gas chromatography. IMAC currently houses state-of-the-art mass spectrometers coupled to liquid chromatography (LC) or gas chromatography (GC) separation systems, such as Q-Exactive Plus Orbitrap Liquid Chromatography – Mass Spectrometer (above). This high-resolution instrument is ideal for discovery proteomics (untargeted). For consultations, training and workshops contact the IMAC.