Grants for WCU projects announced by Research Administration
The following is a compilation of grants awarded at Western Carolina University during December 2018 and January 2019. The list is presented in unedited form, courtesy of WCU’s Office of Research Administration.
Grant awarded to WCU Dec. 1-31
Title: Rapid Identification and Characterization of Mosquitoes of Public Health Importance
PI: Brian Byrd
Funder: American Mosquito Control Association
Amount: $29,609
Description: to expand on recent successes using mid-infrared spectroscopy to identify mosquitoes of public health relevance by increasing existing spectral libraries to include Culex vectors of West Nile virus and other arboviruse
Grants awarded to WCU Jan 1-31
Title: Aedes bionomics and LACV vector control
PI: Brian Byrd
Funder: North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS)
Amount: $41,205
Description: to analyze 2017-2018 host-seeking and oviposition patterns of the mosquito Aedes albopictus
Title: African-American Performances at Mountain Heritage Day
PI: Pam Meister
Funder: Jackson County Arts Council
Amount: $800
Description: to support a performance of traditional African American gospel music by Cornell Proctor and the Tried Stone Missionary Baptist Church Choir at Mountain Heritage Day 2018
Title: Black History Hall of Fame presented by Bright Star Theater
PI: Denise Drury-Homewood
Funder: Jackson County Arts Council
Amount: $995
Description: to support the Bardo Arts Center’s K-12 educational theater for a K-12 audience; Black History Hall of Fame will be presented by Bright Star Theater February 15
Title: Chapter Grant
PI: Martin Tanaka
Funder: Student Veterans of America
Amount: $500
Description: to buy materials and supplies for campus-based initiatives
Members of the Warriors of AniKituhwa, representatives of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, engage visitors in a traditional dance at WCU’s Mountain Heritage Day festival.
Title: Cherokee Performances at Mountain Heritage Day
PI: Pam Meister
Funder: Jackson County Arts Council
Amount: $600
Description: to support Cherokee cultural activities at the 2018 Mountain Heritage Day festival
Title: Collaborative research: Bedrock structural and geomorphic controls on debris flow origination in the southern Blue Ridge, Hickory Nut gorge area
PI: Cheryl Waters-Tormey
Funder: North Carolina Policy Collaboratory
Amount: $51,884
Description: to determine whether bedrock structures and/or colluvial hollow characteristics correlate with historical slope movements
Title: Growing Outdoors: A regional approach to expanding WNC outdoor industry jobs and businesses
PI: Arthur Salido
Funder: Southwestern NC Planning and Economic Development Commission
Amount: $85,887
Description: to collaborate in the Growing Outdoors project and commit to workforce education and development
Title: Highlands Nature Center's STEM Outreach Program for Schools
PI: James Costa
Funder: Highlands Biological Foundation
Amount: $75,000
Description: to support the HBS outreach program at minimal cost to all schools located throughout the many rural, economically disadvantaged mountain counties of westernmost North Carolina
Title: Jackie Robinson: A Game Apart, presented by Mike Wiley and Barefoot Productions
PI: Denise Drury-Homewood
Funder: Jackson County Arts Council
Amount: $1,200
Description: to support the Bardo Arts Center’s K-12 educational theater for a K-12 audience; Jackie Robinson: A Game Apart will be presented by Mike Wiley and Barefoot Productions February 2
Title: SBTDC at Western Carolina University
PI: Sandra Dennison
Funder: North Carolina Small Business and Technology Development Center
Amount: $6,108
Description: supplement to support the Small Business and Technology Development Center Regional Service Center at WCU
Title: School to college pipeline: Changing the narrative on Black Males and their achievement in education through access to post-secondary completion
PI: Tasha Alston
Funder: Campaign for Black Male Achievement
Amount: $10,000
Description: to advance education, access to post-secondary education, equity in education, and excellence in inclusion and diversity through a college tour at WCU
Title: USVI Larval Mosquito Survey 2019
PI: Brian Byrd
Funder: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Amount: $97,335
Description: to conduct a series of larval mosquito surveys in the US Virgin Islands
Title: Women of Western North Carolina
PI: Morgan Kennedy
Funder: Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation
Amount: $5,000
Description: to develop a proposal for an inclusive public art project recognizing the untold stories of the women of western North Carolina
