DSU science faculty awarded INBRE grant

Cleveland, MS (10/17/2024) — Contact: Christy Riddle FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Phone: (662) 846-4336

Email: criddle@deltastate.edu

CLEVELAND, Miss. - Delta State University is proud to announce that Dr. Joseph Bentley, Division Chair and Professor of Chemistry, and Sullivan-Outlaw Associate Professor of Biochemistry Dr. Christopher Jurgenson in the Division of Mathematics and Sciences have been awarded a prestigious grant through the Mississippi IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE). This grant, funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Data Science Strategy, will support the development of innovative cloud-based learning modules aimed at teaching advanced methods in biology and chemistry using large datasets.

The goal of the grant is to equip students and researchers with the skills necessary to implement modern techniques in the analysis of large-scale data-techniques that are critical in today's research environments but often inaccessible due to the need for extensive computational resources.

Bentley is working to develop a module focused on energy calculations with small molecules, while Jurgenson's module will cover x-ray crystallography, a method for determining protein structures.

Bentley said, "The modules developed from this grant are part of a larger project in conjunction with several other schools such as Duke, University of Louisiana, and Georgia Tech. Each group has their area of expertise to share with the world, and the final product will be a 'Sandbox' learning environment where Delta State University's name will be headlined along with all these other big names in academia."

Jurgenson added, "These techniques are not typically taught in a classroom. They are gained by experience conducting research, so there is a steep learning curve associated with understanding how to properly implement them. The hope is this barrier will be removed allowing more scientists to begin using these modern biology and chemistry techniques."

Dr. Heather Miller, Institutional Executive Director of Sponsored Programs, emphasized the importance of the grant to the university's mission. "Delta State is proud to continue our relationship with the Mississippi INBRE Program through the University of Southern Mississippi. This grant provides critical funding to support our faculty and student research."

The learning modules are part of a larger, collaborative effort with renowned institutions across the country. The final product will provide a space where users can experiment with and learn advanced computational techniques, marking a significant step forward for accessible science education.

This research is supported by the Mississippi INBRE, which is funded by an Institutional Development Award (IDeA) from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health and is 100% funded through federal dollars.

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Delta State University

DSU science faculty awarded INBRE grant

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