Research and Sponsored Programs Update: August 2024

RESEARCH AND SPONSORED PROGRAMS | AUGUST 2024

We're kicking off the sixth year of our RSP newsletter by acknowledging and recognizing the dedication and passion of all Fresno State faculty, staff, and students who contribute to our vibrant and growing research enterprise. As noted in the Fall 2024 Faculty and Staff Assembly, the University recorded a remarkable sixth straight record year in grants and contracts in 2023-24. Congratulations to the faculty and staff who received 434 awards and $78.3 million to support their research and scholarly activities – a 10.8% increase over 2022-23.

"This is an impressive number that reflects our privileged status as an R2 institution," President Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval said at the Fall Assembly. "On the ground, this means that we will be able to conduct meaningful research, buy time for faculty activities, hire critical staff, and involve our students in research."

Grants and contracts come in all shapes and sizes, from modest awards to individual faculty members to multimillion-dollar grants that involve college-wide, university-wide, and communitywide cooperation. A total of 564 proposals were submitted last year, including 82 from the College of Science and Mathematics, and more than 75 each from the College of Health and Human Services and the Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology.

Looking ahead, we're excited to celebrate your success with our PI Appreciation Luncheon on Nov. 7 in the Resnick Student Union. Other events include Research Week during the fourth week of April, highlighted by the 46th Annual Central California Research Symposium. It's sure to be another exciting year in research at Fresno State; we look forward to supporting your efforts.

>> Intent to Apply form

AUGUST 2024 MONTHLY AWARD REPORT

Jenny Banh (Anthropology) and Shimel Her Saychou (Southeast Asian Success Center) helped Fresno State receive a one-time fund of $360,000 from the CSU Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Student Achievement Program for the 2024-25 academic year.

William Arcé (English) received a $5,000 Humanities for All grant from California Humanities for the project, “Hispanic Student Veterans Initiative.”

Charles Hillyer and Ranjit Riar (CWI) received a $110,416 grant from the USDA (via Public Policy Institute of California) for their project, "Cropping system transitions for multi-benefit stewardship of water-limited farmland."

Xiangxiong Kong (LCOE) received a $49,996 grant from NASA for his project, "Human-Centric Digital Twins in NASA Space Missions."

Alyssa Wilson (Psychology) received funding from the California Association for Behavior Analysis for her project, "Co-Occurring Autism Spectrum Conditions and Problem Gambling: Establishing a Foundation for Clinical Practice Guidelines."

Kristi Closser (Chemistry) receive a $71,438 grant from NSF (via Sonoma State University) for her project, "ChemCompute: Computational Chemistry for Undergraduate Education and Research."

>> View more recent awards

UPCOMING FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

American Philosophical Society: Franklin Research Grants (Oct. 1)

NIH: Centers for Agricultural Safety and Health (Oct. 22; Limited Submission)

Russell Sage Foundation: Pipeline Grants Competition (Oct. 22)

American College of Sports Medicine grants (Nov. 1)

NSF Civic Innovation Challenge (Feb. 25, 2025)

Upcoming USDE grant deadlines (Various)

USDA Rural Development grant opportunities (Various)

>> Intent to Apply form

FACULTY HIGHLIGHTS

Julie B. Olson-Buchanan (Dean of the Craig School of Business) was honored by the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology with its 2024 Humanitarian Award, presented at the society’s annual conference in April.

Rohan Jadhav (Public Health) presented his research "Farming hazards among Hmong farmers in the Central Valley of California" at the International Society for Agricultural Safety and Health in Portland in June.

Michele McConnell (English) presented the research paper “Connecting to our communities with responsive literacy research practices” at the Association of Teacher Educators Annual Meeting in Anaheim, CA. She was voted in as California Council on Teacher Education vice president for the ATE.

Dave Goorahoo (Plant Science) has been honored by the Irrigation Association with its Excellence in Education Award for his teaching, research, and outreach work on water management and conservation.

Nupur Hajela (Physical Therapy) has been selected as the recipient of the California Physical Therapy Association Publication Award 2024 and will be given the honor at the CPTA annual conference this September.

>> Office of IDEAS: Faculty Stories

DR. JOY GOTO HONORED

On Aug. 8, Consul General Yo Osumi hosted a reception at Fresno State in honor of the new Honorary Consul of Japan in Fresno, Dr. Joy J. Goto. Honorary Consul Goto served as the Governor of the Central California District Council of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) and currently serves as the treasurer of the Fresno JACL. She is also the Interim Dean of the Division of Research and Graduate Studies at Fresno State. Honorary Consul Goto has been actively involved with the Japanese community in the Fresno area and has expressed her enthusiasm to continue building connections between Japan and Fresno during the reception.

RSP TEAM UPDATES

We’re thrilled to announce that Thalia Ramirez has joined our team! Thalia joins us from the Central California Center for Excellence in Nursing and will be working with the College of Science and Math. Please see below our updated portfolio assignments:

Gayle Sherwood: Jordan College of Ag Sciences & Tech, College of Arts and Humanities, College of Social Sciences

Blake Greenwood: Lyles College of Engineering, Office of the President, Student Affairs, Academic Affairs/Provost's Office, OCED | LEAD California, Jumpstart / Richter Center, California Volunteers / Richter Center

Thalia Ramirez: College of Science and Mathematics

Judy Gagnebin: Kremen School of Education and Human Development, College of Health and Human Services, Craig School of Business, Fresno State Library

>> RSP Staff Contact Info

DAIRY PRODUCTS INNOVATION DAY

The 2nd Annual Dairy Products Innovation Day is set for Thurs., Sept. 12, in the Resnick Student Union from 8 a.m.-4:25 p.m., and will showcase the latest advancements in the dairy processing industry. Register online for the conference, which brings together experts, industry, students, and researchers to explore market trends and technical breakthroughs in product and process innovation. Don’t miss the opportunity to be inspired by the remarkable innovations shaping the future of dairy products, and the people who make it possible.

Related article: "Bringing Back Local Milk, Ice Cream, and Cheese" (civileats.com)

ONE-DAY AG SUMMIT

Exploring the Coexistence of Water Users in California: Weds., Sept. 4, at the Lynda and Stewart Resnick Student Union from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. The Maddy Institute in partnership with the California Water Institute is hosting a one-day ag summit focused on how water users coexist in California. This event will bring stakeholders together from across the state to discuss pressing issues and foster collaborative solutions. Register online for this exciting in-person and virtual event.

>> Fresno State's InfoReady Portal

VIRTUAL EVENTS

CSU NSF HSI-STEM Grantees Webcast: Fri., Sept. 6 (11 a.m.-noon). Fresno State professor, Wei Wu (Construction Management) will be among the speakers with his presentation, "Toward Meaningful Integration of VR in STEM Teaching and Learning Through Instructor-Student Expectation Negotiation and Alignment." Register online for this free workshop.

STEM-NET Webcast- Highlighting the NSF Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences: Weds., Sept. 18 (11 a.m.- Noon). Fresno State professor Amber Crowell (Sociology) will be among the speakers with her presentation, "Mapping the Origins of Urban Residential Segregation Through Open Resources and Collaboration." Register online for this free workshop.

>> Intent to Apply form

IN THE NEWS

A historic partnership between SEMI, a global semiconductor manufacturing association, and Fresno State, the City of Fresno, City of Clovis, Fresno County Economic Development Corporation and Silicon Farms aims to bring the semiconductor manufacturing supply chain industry to the Central Valley.

Researchers with the Central Valley Health Policy Institute at Fresno State, along with the Leadership Counsel on Justice and Accountability, examined the economic, environmental and health impacts of south Fresnans for their latest data brief, “Fresno Economy and the Environment.”

Gurreet Brar (Plant Science) was quoted on his efforts to better understand the impact of climate change on pistachio crops with his campus research team.

John Green (Civil and Geomatics Engineering) was quoted on the need for creating curriculum and learning opportunities in the rail industry in the Central Valley.

Hovannes Kulhandjian (Electrical and Computer Engineering) was interviewed on his development of a robot designed to help children safely cross streets by detecting traffic conditions and providing guidance through visual and auditory cues.

>> More from fresnostatenews.com

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Please don't hesitate to contact the grants administrator for your college/unit as you explore potential funding opportunities. Also, be sure to share with us important news or updates on your research, scholarly, or creative activities. Include NEWSLETTER in the subject line and send details to orsp@csufresno.edu. Note that the RSP newsletter does not publish during the summer, but will resume in August.

This newsletter is compiled and published by the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs. Part of the Division of Research and Graduate Studies, RSP helps faculty and staff apply for and secure external grant funds.

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