In a highly interconnected, interdependent, and interactive world, disease outbreaks, epidemics, and pandemics will continue to challenge our global community. The current COVID-19 pandemic is an acute example of the numerous societal challenges associated with an epidemic. This outbreak marks the third time, in recent years, that a coronavirus has caused severe disease and death worldwide, but larger epidemic events occurred throughout human history.
In response to the current pandemic of COVID-19 specifically, and more broadly, to the need to addresses critical gaps in knowledge and response methods, tools, technologies, and strategies related to viral diseases and disease outbreaks, a Special Solicitation – Epidemic & Virus Related Research Innovation Fund, was issued sponsored jointly by the Office of Sponsored Research Services and the Shipley Center for Innovation.
Clarkson University is proud to announce the 2020 Clarkson Ignite Research Innovation Fund to five multidisciplinary teams. This internal grant program was launched in response to the current pandemic of COVID-19 specifically, and more broadly, to the need to address critical gaps in knowledge and response methods, tools, technologies, and strategies related to viral diseases and disease outbreaks. This program aims to support all areas of Clarkson University research and scholarship that may provide a broader perspective on viral diseases and the detection and response to their outbreaks. Eligible topics ranged from biomedical and clinical research and development, as well as research and development broadly related to public health, legal, economic, societal and fiscal implications, among others.
The program received 10 proposals from 28 unique Clarkson faculty (12 female and 16 male faculty members) representing 13 department/units in our three schools, as well as the CRC and the Trudeau Institute.
All Ignite Research Innovation Fund proposals were reviewed for scientific merit, societal impact feasibility, commercialization, and fundability. A review committee, comprising University academic faculty and administrators, external Board of Trustee representative, and an external scientific expert were invited to review the proposals. An internal selection committee consisting of the Provost, the Clarkson University Ignite Director, and the AVP for Research and Technology Research, considered the applications deemed meritorious by the review committee.
Following are five award-winning teams along with their proposal.
- Yang Yang (CEE), Suresh Dhaniyala (MAE) in “Regenerable electrospun nano-fiber filters for efficient bio-aerosol removal”
- Andrea R. Ferro (CEE & ISE), Deborah Brown (Truduea Institute), Goodarz Ahmadi (MAE), Byron Erath (MAE), Brian Helenbrook (MAE) in “Aerosol exposure assessment for transmission of SARS-CoV-2 virus”
- Andrew David (BIO), Susan F. Bailey (BIO) in “Global Phylogeography of the Novel COVID-19 Coronavirus using a Big Data Approach”
- Golshan Madraki (E&M), Yu Liu (ECE), Jeanne Matthews (CS) in “Analyzing and Mitigating Polarization in Social Media to Fight against COVID-19 Pandemic”
- Matthew Manierre (HSS), Seema Rivera (CRC – Education Program), Jan DeWaters (STEM Education) in “Faculty teaching remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic”