NewsletterOffice of Graduate Studies & Research

Spring 2017

Office of Graduate Studies & Research

In this Edition...

Advancing Coatings Research with Dr. Vijay Mannari

Research Compliance Update

Ellen Gold: A Force for Student Well-Being

Innovating for the Textile Industry with Dr. Subhas Ghosh

Graduate Commencement Update

ORDA Proposal Reminder

Brickley Endowment Award Winners

2017 GRC Wrap-Up

In September 2016, Dr. Vijay Mannari was awarded a research contract from the Strategic Environmental Research Development Program (SERDP) to develop environmentally responsible, high-performance coatings for the U.S. military. Dr. Mannari, a faculty member at Eastern Michigan University (EMU) in the College of Technology and a nationally-recognized expert in green coatings research, is well-positioned to not only complete the innovative research, but to foster it’s success within EMU’s coatings team and amongst its graduate students.

With the SERDP funding, Dr. Mannari will develop a corrosion resistant coating that is free from toxic and harmful isocyanate compounds while still being formulated to withstand harsh, corrosion-prone

conditions. The coatings will be used for military installments, radar antennas, helicopter blades, as well as a number of other critical civilian and military uses.

With positive feedback from the team’s sponsors, Dr. Mannari is confidant in their progress thus far, including the design and synthesis of the isocyanate-free polyure-thane building blocks. With a vision for inspiring future green-friendly, protective coatings and industrial coatings, Dr. Mannari hopes his research will create new pathways for future research at EMU and in the coatings industry.

Dr. Mannari’s research spans outside of the SERDP project, as he aims to continue to advance coatings research at EMU with his expertise in the field of green coatings. With external funding reaching over $2.3 million in the past few years and several U.S. Patents registered to his name, Dr. Mannari continues to push forward new, innovative research applications in the industry, while promoting EMU’s high-caliber, research capabilities in civilian and military-use coatings.

Recently, Dr. Mannari attended the 2017 Commercial Technologies for Maintenance Activities conference at Hill Air Force Base,

Dr. Vijay Mannari Advancing Coatings Research at EMU and Beyond

The Office of Research Compliance wants to remind investigators that the University Human Subjects Review Committee does not meet over the summer to review high-risk research. Low-risk research is

reviewed year-round and will be reviewed over the summer. Please continue to submit your human subject research applications throughout the summer on IRBNet for review. The turn-around time will remain

consistent with the academic year. Contact Sonia Chawla, the Research Compliance Officer, at 734-487-3090 or schawlaw@emich.edu with any questions.

From the Office of Research Compliance...

Above: Dr. Vijay Mannari / Left: Dr. Man-nari speaks at the Commerical Technologies for Maintenance Activities Conference at Hill Air Force Base.

Utah, organized by the US Department of Defense. The corrosion-resistant technolo-gy developed and patented at EMU’s coat-ings facility was showcased and awarded as a “finalist.” Dr. Mannari explained, “This was a great honor since EMU was the only university participant among only industry participants. This shows the capability of the coatings research of EMU, its faculty and students.”

Assistant Vice President for Student Well-Being, Ellen Gold, has provided pivotal leadership in EMU’s efforts to combat sexual violence and abuse. She has now been the primary investigator on two grants from the Michigan Department of State Police Campus Sexual Assault Grant Program, contributing to the cause. The most recent, Men of Strength Creating a Respectful Environment (MOST CARE), responds to recent investigation into the role of men in sexual violence and abuse prevention.

A White House task force, in 2014, recognized the pivotal role of men in combatting rape culture and sexual violence stating, “Most men are not perpetrators – and when we empower men to step in when someone’s in trouble, they become an important part of the solution.”

So far, ten departments across campus committed to involvement and promotion of the MOST CARE program. The Assistant Vice President of Student Well Being and the Women’s Resource Center Coordinator will work with a committee of faculty and staff who have volunteered for involvement in some capacity.

MOST CARE was adapted from the Campus Men of Strength Club which is part of the national Men Can Stop Rape strategy created to fight violence against women, and develop healthy masculinity across college campuses. This strategy has been recognized by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as one of the top gender violence prevention programs in the country.

Gold quotes Todd Denny in her proposal. In his book, “Unexpected Allies: Men Who Stop Rape,” he says, “Attempts to reduce sexual assault through the education of women are not primary prevention… By systematically addressing the false assumptions held by some men (and women) we can change the harmful behaviors that follow these

assumptions – behaviors that pervade our culture and perpetuate male violence.”

Goals for the MOST CARE project are to provide a safe space for men across campus to discuss and understand healthy masculinity practices, noting the contribution that some traditional masculinity cultural practices have had to the scale of sexual assault and other forms of male violence against women. The program will also build a base of male student leaders in alliance with women.

Gold is working to pull several recently developed programs into a single, comprehensive, campus-wide sexual assault program. These programs included the “I Choose Campaign,” “Yes Means Yes” educational program, “Got Consent program,” the “Speak Up Active Bystander Program,” and the recently updated EMU Sexual Misconduct & Interpersonal Violence Policy. Additionally, an EMU reporting and resources wallet card, along with a survivor handbook, have been created, printed, and are currently being distributed across campus. A Faculty and Staff Title IX Guide is in development and will be available for fall distribution as well.

The first grant Gold was awarded was called The SMART Project: Sexual Misconduct Awareness and Reporting Tools for a Safer EMU Community. It focused on increasing help for seeking support and reporting incidents; reducing negative attitudes and myths about sexual assault victim blaming; and increasing the number of campus members who know about the EMU sexual misconduct policy, reporting protocol, and available resources. The SMART Project had two strategic components. The first involved creating a social norms marketing “I Choose” campaign through videos, posters, and a website. The second component was the development of several publications: a survivor handbook, Faculty and Staff Title IX Guide, and a reporting and

resource wallet card.

The efforts through these two grants are moving the university in the direction of establishing a coordinated campus network to promote sexual assault prevention, education, and victims’ rights.

More information can be found at www.emich.edu/Ichoose.

Ellen Gold A Force for Student Well-Being

Above: Ellen Gold, accepting the Distinguished Achievement Recognition Award, Leadership, AP, at the 2017 Distinguished Contributions Award Ceremony.

Let us know at www.emich.edu/ichooseFind answers. Find support. Tell someone.Sexual misconduct and partner violence is never the victim’s fault.

to make a difference.

WE CHOOSE

Graduation

for US 8,764,851 Antimicrobial Fabrics Made Using Sol-Gel/N-Halamine Chemistry, and Methods of Making Same. In addition, he has authored over 90 technical research papers, and submitted a proposal to the National Institute of Standard and Technology (NIST) to develop a textile science STEM curriculum at EMU. This is just one of the ways he continues to promote EMU’s commitment to the needs of our country and the changing workforce. With his help, EMU students will be ready for a career in a dynamic, innovative and rapidly changing field of smart textiles. Dr. Ghosh has also encouraged his students, like Emily Schwinghammer, to take advantage of Technology Transfer programs, like Innovation Corps (I-Corps). Emily, the first I-Corps students from EMU, didn’t realize the potential of her research on Milkweed fibers as a means for practical application. I-Corps is an entrepreneurial-based regional and national workshop through the National Science Foundation that provides consumer interaction and guidance for researchers and entrepreneurs, like Emily, who are looking to clarify their path to achievement of goals, reaching target markets and fulfilling their problem solving potential. It’s clear Dr. Ghosh is taking research initiative to new heights by taking advantage of the opportunities and funding possibilities of working to the advantage of our nation’s needs for manufacturing workforce development and smart textiles. Read more about the institutes that have been formed to address the United States interest in innovation and technology at: https://www.dodmantech.com/Institutes/ To learn more about opportunities related to funding for innovation contact EMU’s Technology Transfer Office, Melinda Marion, mmarion3@emich.edu, or visit: http://www.emich.edu/techtransfer/ier/inventor-entrepreneur.php

Dr. Subhas GhoshInnovating for the Textile Industry

Dr. Subhas Ghosh, a faculty member at Eastern Michigan University’s (EMU) College of Technology and seasoned academic and researcher with over 30 years of experience, brings his expertise in the areas of textile structure, fiber science, analytical methods, and smart textile technology to the university and the textile industry. Whether collaborating with students, faculty or industry partners, Dr. Ghosh always has the next best project ready for takeoff, an increasingly important characteristic of those developing the future of smart textiles. Textiles continue to take on a new purpose as they enhance our everyday lives, protect our military, and better society through technology. Dr. Ghosh’s commitment to recreating the structure and application of these textiles for innovative use is crucial to the advancement of the industry. Dr. Ghosh has partnered with major U.S. companies like DuPont and Shell Chemical Co. for joint research, and has also acted as a principal investigator for U.S. Army grants to develop nano-sized materials that enhance textile fabrics’ functional properties for military use. His expertise and advice has been sought out by local startup companies testing and validating new products. He somehow always finds time to develop new relationships, leaving the door open for partnerships with industry. On March 18, 2015, President Barack Obama announced the Department of Defense’s commitment of $75 million to the Institute of Manufacturing Innovation for Revolutionary Fibers and Textiles. The national initiative, Manufacturing Technology Program, focuses on part-nering industry and education forces to develop innovative research and technology to address the needs of manufacturing nationwide. Dr. Ghosh’s research in textiles is one of the many areas of need that the Department of Defense seeks to partner with institutions to advance globally. Dr. Ghosh is an inventor and patent holder

On Saturday, April 22, 2017 Eastern Michigan University hosted its Winter 2017 Commencement Ceremony. Among those who graduated were 15 doctoral students who had successfully completed their degree requirements including their disstertation. The doctoral gradautes represent the Technology, Educational Studies, Educational Leadership, and Clinical Psychology programs.

In addition, EMU received 648 applications for master’s degrees, 54 certificate degrees, and 2 specialist degrees.

Congratulations to our 2017 EMU Graduates!

Above: Dr. Subhas Ghosh

$James H. Brickley Endowment for Faculty Professional Development and InnovationAnthony and Lois Evans have generously established the James H. Brickley Endowment for Faculty Professional Development and Innovation, named after EMU’s president from 1974-1978. Lois Evans is a retired mathematics Teacher. Tony Evans served at EMU in a variety of administrative capacities, and worked with the award’s namesake during his time as president.

Two, $50,000 endowments have been provided to “facilitate faculty professional development and innovation through a broad range of activities,” with an additional $10,000 gift to create an associated expendable account from which Winter 2017 semester funds were awarded. Winter 2017 funds were awarded to 13 individuals who represented all five colleges at EMU and the Library. The quality of the Winter 2017 proposals was very high, such that the Office of Graduate Studies and Research thought it prudent to leverage matching funds of $2,211 from the Associate Provost’s Office to increase the number of funded projects.

Teaching time was reassigned to time for scholarly, creative, and innovative endeavors; conference presenta-tions; travel; hiring of research assistants; purchase of special equipment for supplies for teaching, scholarly, research, creative, or innovative ideas; development of grant proposals for external funding; similar or related academic activities.

How to Avoid Barriers to Submitting a Proposal: Get your proposal materials to ORDA early!Funding proposals and the rules surrounding them are often complex and make significant commitment of Uni-versity resources. All proposals must be reviewed and approved prior to submitting by the Principal Investigator/Project Director’s (an any Co-Is) unit head and dean. The ORDA director, once these approvals are obtained, can authorize the submission of the proposal. This process takes time, so please be mindful of your responsibility to work with ORDA as early as possible in the process. Per divisional policy, ORDA requires that all proposal materials be submitted for review three days in advance of the deadline. Proposal approval is documented through the Cayuse SP, a sponsored project lifecycle management system, which includes electronic review and approvals, as well as serving as the electronic repository of all proposal and award documents. Your ORDA pre-award officer can assist you with the preparation and routing of necessary Cayuse SP documents.

Congratulations to our Winter 2017 Awardees!

Brittany Albaugh, Meryl Brodsky, Anne Casper, George Cassar, Ashley Falzetti, Jesse Kauffman, Anthony Koschmann, John Palladino, Joel Schoenhals, Richard Stahler-Sholk, He Tang,

Xining Yang, and Andrea Zakrajsek

Upcoming Events

Workshops & Events:

Summer Writing Peer-Support Group

Planning on working on a grant proposal (or research manuscript) over the summer? ORDA is hosting a peer support group. Grant writing is hard work; a regular writing group can help you keep on track, get over writer’s block, enjoy a little camaraderie, and gain valuable feedback while you write. Location and meeting time will be determined by the participants. If interested please contact Jennifer Glass at jglass5@emich.edu.

Look for further updates on meeting times on ORDA social media channels and the Weekly Update!_______________________

Visit us on Social Media!

Graduate SchoolFacebook: @EMUGradSchoolTwitter: @EMUGradSchool

Research & DevelopmentFacebook: @emuordTwitter: @EMUORD

Technology TransferFacebook: @EMUTechnology-Transfer

2017 Graduate Research Confernce

The the 18th annual Graduate Research Conference was held March 24, 2017, from 8am-4pm in the EMU Student Center. The conference featured over 200 students in 163 presentations in the mediums of oral, poster, and arts front performances. Student presenters were sponsored by 109 faculty members across the EMU community. The event featured a lunch reception, themed “Research for the Future,” and the keynote speaker was Sonja Parker, a two-time EMU alumna and 2000 Graduate Research Conference presenter. In addition, several student presenters were awarded with the 2017 Graduate Research Conference Scholarly/Creative Activity Award and received a certificate and $150 award.

Thank you to all of the EMU graduate students, supportive faculty and staff, and the family and friends of our EMU presenters who joined the Graduate Studies & Research Office for the event!

Above: 2017 GRC Scholarly/Creative Acivity Award winners, left to right: Natasha Wickenheiser, I Yu Liu, Ozlem Kubra Akdogan, Rachel Ellenson, and Sara Acton. Not Pictured: Kirsten Hameister.

Left: Poster Presenters, left to right: Bavneet Kaur and Adesola Garrett