TAMIU Receives National Science Foundation Grant

Texas A&M International University continues its commitment to train first-generation Hispanic students in high-quality education and scientific research with a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF).

The NSF recently announced it awarded a grant of $58,511 to TAMIU for support of the project, “MRI-R2: Acquisition of High Performance Centrifuge and Freeze-Dry System to Enhance Research and Teaching,” under the direction of Dr. Ruby A. Ynalvez, assistant professor, biology.

The award received funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

“The grant will be used to purchase a high performance refrigerated centrifuge and a benchtop freeze dry system,” wrote Dr. Ynalvez in the project summary.

The equipment will be used for plant lectin research.

“The research will focus on identifying novel sources of lectin and determining their applications,” explained Ynalvez.

The equipment will also have an influence on students and future scientists.

Ynalvez stressed that improvement in TAMIU’s research infrastructure will also lead to broaden the participation of students from this historically underrepresented population in scientific research activities.

For more information, please contact Ynalvez at 326.2643 or rynalvez@tamiu.edu or visit office in the Lamar Bruni Vergara Science Center, room 385D.

University hours are 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday.

Spring 2009 classes at TAMIU begin Tuesday, Jan. 19.

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Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Relations, Marketing and Information Services at prmis@tamiu.edu