News

The September issue of Montana NSF EPSCoR's quarterly newsletter, with articles on research activities, new faculty hires, outreach programs, and diversity initiatives, is now available.

Fifteen Montana University System undergraduates have received summer internships to research climate science related projects at sites throughout Montana. The Institute on Ecosystems students will work with faculty at The University of Montana and Montana State University on a variety of projects, studying everything from elk, marmots and snowshoe hares to Ponderosa pines and microscopic cyanobacteria. The students' research findings will be presented at the Institute on Ecosystems annual summit meeting in Helena on Aug. 21 to 23.

Two Montana Institute on the Ecosystems (IoE) Research Associates have been featured on the 'Cores of Discovery' show on Montana Public Radio. Dr. Ric Hauer, director of the IoE at UM, was featured on December 7th, 2012, and Dr. Maury Valett, an IoE research fellow discussing water quality in the Flathead River, was featured on December 21st. Tune in or listen to recorded podcasts to learn more.

Montana Innovators joined Governor Schweitzer and MSU President Waded Cruzado on August 28th for a high-level panel discussion about investing in and fostering Montana's innovation-driven economy, followed by an awards dinner celebrating select Montana companies for excellence in innovation.

The August 10 workshop, developed by MSU's Extended University, was part of a public outreach program of Montana NSF EPSCoR called Climate In My Backyard (CLIMB). Participants learned how researchers within the Montana University System and the new Montana Institute on Ecosystems are using GPS/GIS to study everything from noxious weeds to water quality, and practiced using GPS and smart-phone apps in the field to idenfity and report noxious weed infestations. Each participant received a Garmin Montana 650t GPS receiver and several books and educational resources.

Announced during the Innovate Montana Innovation & Entrepreneurship Day on June 21st, the MCA will work to support and enhance growth in the clean-technology industry in the state by increasing awareness of Montana's existing clean-tech sector. The alliance will help clean-tech companies create jobs, access capital, invest and improve their ability to compete in the global marketplace.

Joe Fanguy, director of Technology transfer at the University of Montana (UM), is heading up EPSCoR's workforce development efforts at UM as director of the Montana Technology Enterprise Center (MonTEC), a business incubator in Missoula. MonTEC provides space, services, and support for startup businesses in Montana, with long term goals of growing and diversifying Montana?s economic base. 

The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) is the worlds largest scientific society, which recognizes scientists for meritorious efforts to advance science or its applications. Cathy Whitlock, MSU director of the Montana Institute on Ecosystems and professor of Earth science, was named a AAAS Fellow this year, one of only19 inductees who specialize in geology or geography. Commenting on her achievement, Whitlock said "The university has given me the freedom to pursue questions of my choice and to go to the far ends of the planet to them.

UM Associate Professor, Tony Ward, received a National Institute of Health Science Education Partnership Award to develop inquiry-based science lessons that will prepare middle and high school students to conduct research studies on air pollutants. Teachers who are involved in the project will receive training, curriculum and air-sampling equipment to guide environmental health science education.

Montana State University had a record $112.3 million in research expenditures for the fiscal year ending June 30. Almost $10 million more than last year and $2.8 million more than the previous record set two years ago, the record reflects the university's continued strength in biomedical sciences, energy, and the environment, administrators said. "MSU faculty have proven once again that they are players in a national arena," said MSU President Waded Cruzado.