San Juan College received a $500,000 NM-INBRE grant to enhance research in bacteria, astro-microbiology, and NMR spectroscopy, and to fund student summer research positions through NISE.
San Juan College Receives NM-INBRE Grant
The New Mexico IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (NM-INBRE) has awarded San Juan College (SJC) a five-year, $500,000 grant for its School of Science, Math, and Engineering.
Enhancing Research Capabilities
NM-INBRE, a statewide consortium of colleges, universities, and laboratories funded by the National Institutes of Health, aims to enhance the research expertise and capabilities of faculty, students, and institutions.
Funding Details
The grant provides SJC with $100,000 per year for the next five years. Dr. Eric Miller, SJC Professor of Chemistry, serves as the Institutional Liaison and Student Research Coordinator for the grant. He oversees the SJC program, which currently includes two active research groups.
Research Groups and Focus Areas
Bacteria and Astro-Microbiology Research
The first research group, led by Dr. Russell Grahn, SJC Professor of Biology, focuses on the study of bacteria and bacteriophages. This group is expanding its research to include astro-microbiology, the study of microorganisms in outer space.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
The second research group, directed by Dr. Ali Arvij, SJC Assistant Professor of Physics, investigates the use of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy on natural compounds. Dr. Arvij will collaborate with the NMSU Agricultural Sciences Center in Farmington and Professor Emeritus Dr. Don Hyder.
Student Research Opportunities
NM-INBRE will sponsor three SJC students for full-time summer positions through the New Mexico INBRE Student Experience (NISE) program. Additionally, three more SJC students have accepted NISE positions at the University of New Mexico, New Mexico State University, and the National Center for Genomics.
About NM-INBRE
The New Mexico IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence is headquartered at New Mexico State University and continues to support and foster biomedical research throughout the state.
