Research > Update Newsletter >

Update

The Research Office Newsletter Featuring OSU research and scholarship in all disciplines, and the services of the Research Office
Volume 2, Issue 8 June, 2003

Funding Fundamentals

Several OSU faculty members have been successful in bringing in large funds for research. And some newer or less-seasoned faculty have expressed an interest in learning from them about how to procure grants.

The following is a beginning of this conversation - tips gathered from a few of our researchers. It is not a comprehensive how-to. The Research Office hereby solicits ideas from experienced grant-getters, and welcomes questions from others.*

Build relationships with funding agencies

• Attend professional conferences, and at them, take the opportunities to make personal contact with the funding representatives
• Call the funding representatives, and correspond by email
• Express your interest in their program ( yet avoid being obsequious)
• Realize that program officers are eager for the success of the programs, and are interested in fresh projects and approaches.

Think like the reviewer when you are writing a proposal

• Explain clearly what you're going to do and how you'll do it. Often, most of a proposal is spent on background, justification, theory, other research. It may be more beneficial to devote half of the proposal to the what and how of your research.
• Make it clear that what you will do will effectively address the research questions that you're posing

Show that you are capable/worthy of the research

• When starting out, get on projects with bigger name researchers

If your proposal is rejected, use the opportunity to improve your chances next time

• Speak with the program officer, asking for feedback to improve your ideas and presentation
• Let them know your interest and capabilities for the future
• If possible, read the competing, winning proposals, to learn from them. While most agencies treat proposals as confidential until they get funded, with tenacity you may be able to get getting copies of those that are funded.

Keep at it and don't get discouraged

Even the best investigators are not being awarded funds on all of their applications. The process requires perseverance, tenacity, and faith.

*What are your two or three best grant-getting strategies?

Or, if you are less experienced, what is it you would you like to know about the process? Please contribute to the information being compiled by the Research Office.

Return to Table of Contents

Doug Keszler: Sigma Xi's Pick as Researcher of the Year

Each year, the OSU chapter of Sigma Xi, a national research and scientific honor society, names a faculty member for significant contributions to the advancement of knowledge. "In particular, we consider how the science and technology has affected positive changes in the world," says Dan Arp of the nominating committee. Arp announced at the organization's spring ceremony that Doug Keszler, material scientist and professor of chemistry, was chosen as researcher of the year. "There were, of course, many excellent candidates to consider," said Arp. "But Doug did not win by a coin toss!"

Arp went on to describe how Kesler excels in all of the criteria for the award:

Significant contributor to the advancement of knowledge

Keszler researches the interface of the natural world and engineered world, said Arp. In nonlinear optic materials - lasers - he works on UV lasers for machining and surgery. He also deals with phosphors, exploring new materials, new colors, and greater intensities for flat panel displays.
A nominator commented that Keszler "has discovered new materials in these areas that are dramatically superior to previously known materials, and his materials are finding commercial application. He has also been a leading contributor to the fundamental scientific understanding of both luminescent and nonlinear optical materials."

An active research program, as evidenced by extramural funding

Keszler has over $3 million in current funding, from federal agencies (NSF) and private corporations (HP). He is involved in collaborative efforts with other materials scientists on campus.

An acknowledged record of outstanding publications

Arp said, "I count about 90 publications in a variety of top tier journals, including Science."

A record of training successful students

Keszler has mentored more than 25 MS and Ph.D.students. "Are they successful?," asked Arp. "All are employed!" He added, "Among them are professors, division managers, and even a president of a corporation."

As part of the Sigma Xi honor, next fall Keszler will offer a talk about his research.

Return to Table of Contents

Undergrad Researchers: What's In It For You?

Roy Haggerty, Associate Professor of Geosciences, feels that "the best job in the career of a professor" is to bring undergrads into research.

While he realizes it's not a priority shared by all colleagues, Haggerty is eager to explain the reasons why he's found such mentoring to be beneficial - for the students, of course, yet also for himself.

"For one thing, it helps me in bringing in good graduate students."

"Often, when I've interacted with a student, I can see that they'll be successful in an advanced program - and I've been able to retain some here. Many of our OSU students have excellent foundations and work habits- especially those with research experience."

"It actually can work to the faculty member's benefit in terms of productivity. For instance, NSF is taking a lead in encouraging the inclusion of students in research."

"NSF has made it known that it cares a lot about undergraduate research. It wants to see its money being spent to benefit the public - to have more of an impact, beyond the lab. So the educational aspect can be a key component. For one project, NSF actually suggested that I hire an undergrad instead of a grad student."

"Some undergrad work has added value to the research, and has had a real-world impact."

"On one recent project, the student's work very much furthered the research, resulting in a publication in a good journal. He couldn't bring the total understanding, of course; I did the modeling and the advanced math. But he had shown himself to be reliable with the equipment, and he did the actual hard work! In fact, his data set has attracted international attention, and it is going to appear in a journal by another researcher. Another student's work is being used by the U.S. Geological Survey, to understand intrusion of magma at South Sister.

"It is personally satisfying as a professor to open up important educational experiences - for not only the A students."

"I have been approached by honors majors who need to do a thesis, and I've seen amazing work with some of them who have top grades and double majors. I've also offered opportunities to students who don't have much of a GPA, but show responsibility and a spark of interest. In many cases, I've watched them grow - they've gained a sense of workmanship and responsibility.

"I'm so concerned that in many classes, students learn about, but don't do, science. This may be of necessity, yet it's so important to supplement with hands-on, active science.

"It may not be right for every faculty or for every student. For the type of productivity usually measured, we can 'get more' from grad students and post-docs. But undergraduates are one of our strengths at OSU. I'm sure it will continue to line up with my goals to be a mentor to some.

"Some students return to the lab as valuable employees."

"One student who worked with me as an undergrad is now a faculty research assistant. I got to see him for an extended period of time, and after he graduated and I had an opening, I knew he fit the bill: he had the relevant experience. I hired him. He's blossomed as a technician, and it's given him time to make decisions about what he'll do next.

"Certain things help to make a project good for undergraduates."

• "The idea should be well-defined.
• It can be a project that is 'too small' for work towards a MS or PhD.
• Because it is low pressure - the student's future is not riding on the results - you can encourage and allow them to be creative and take some risks! One student of mine really went out on a limb - and his hypothesis ended up being right and quite significant.
• Be flexible on the thesis. I have found that some will be better than others! I have had a whole range of final reports turned in, from formal and bound, to last-minute emails."

"It's good to see how it helps students in their futures."

"Here is part of a letter from a former student, Matthew Johnson, who did good work for me, and graduated in 2001 with a BS in Environmental Sciences. He now is doing some pretty advanced work for Coffey Laboratories."

Return to Table of Contents

Interview in the Elevator: Robert Malouf

Return to Table of Contents

Reading List: Books by Faculty

The following is among recently published books by OSU faculty and staff.
Please send information about your new books to the Research Office.

An Evidence-Based Approach to Vitamins and Minerals Health Benefits and Intake Recommendations published by Thieme by Dr. Jane Higdon, research associate, Linus Pauling Institute link to more information about this book link to previous list of faculty books

Return to Table of Contents

Links to Resources

Funding Resources

OSU and external programs and other opportunities for faculty.
Link to IRIS external funding database and alert service

Shared OSU Facilities and Services - Resource List

Access research resources across disciplines on campus - recently updated. Please let us know if you have facilities to add to this list.

Online OSU Newsletters and Magazines

News and feature publications abound around campus. Link to a list of those available online, about everything from academics to cultural events.

Scholarship and Research across Campus

The broad, deep, and diverse research and scholarship activities of OSU faculty across campus are summarized at Research Summaries

Update, The Research Office Newsletter

This newsletter is produced approximately monthly and announced via email to all OSU faculty and staff. Link to archived issues. Please send any news, announcements, or comments to jana.zvibleman@oregonstate.edu

return to Table of Contents

© 2003 Oregon State University