FEBRUARY 2020
Research and Sponsored Programs Update
Q&A WITH NEW IRB CHAIR DR. JENNIFER RANDLES
Communication is key for Dr. Jennifer Randles , who has transitioned smoothly into her new role as Chair of the Institutional Review Board (IRB), also known as the Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects (CPHS) .

Dr. Randles recently spoke with us about her work as a sociologist and her plans to keep the lines of communication open during the IRB process at Fresno State .

Q . Please tell us a little about yourself and the various positions you hold on campus.

A . I am a sociologist of families, childhood, policy, gender, race, and inequality. I have over 15 years of experience conducting research with human subjects, primarily through qualitative in-depth interviewing and participant observation with low-income parents.

This is my seventh year at Fresno State, where I am Chair and Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology . I also serve as Chair of the University Undergraduate Program Review Committee.

Q . What motivated you to take on the role of IRB/CPHS Chair?

A . Serving as IRB/CPHS Chair allows me to apply my sociological knowledge, especially my expertise on inequality and social vulnerability, and to learn more about the vast and diverse types of research being conducting across our campus.

Q . For those not familiar with the IRB/CPHS, what are a few of the services provided by the committee?

A . The University CPHS provides a thorough review of research projects conducted by Fresno State administrators, faculty, staff, students, and other affiliates that: 1) involve people, including studies of their opinions, experiences, behaviors, and reactions to interventions; 2) seek to contribute to systemic knowledge (research done with the intent to lead to conference presentations or publication); and 3) present risks greater than what those people would encounter in daily life (in research ethics speak, “more than minimal risk”). We also review all externally funded research projects.

Q . What plans do you have for this committee moving forward?

A . I would like for the University CPHS to continue to play an important role in educational efforts about the ethical implications of research across campus. I will also continue to prioritize open lines of communication and timely responses between principal investigators (lead researchers and advisors) and our committee.
FEBRUARY 2020 MONTHLY AWARD REPORT

Cory Brooks (Chemistry) received a $34,731 grant from Quest Diagnostics for his project titled, “Development of an ExpiCHO Stable Cell Line Expressing the MUC1 Specific IgE Antibody 4H5.”

Tania Pacheco-Werner (CVHPI) received a $20,000 grant from the Leadership Counsel for Justice and Accountability to engage the community on climate change and help formulate neighborhood priorities and develop databased documents articulating policy and practice recommendations.

Randa Jarrar ( English ) received a $100,000 grant from the 2020 Creative Capital Awards to support her latest novel in progress and career development.

Sonet Van Zyl and Stephan Sommer ( VERC ) received a three-year, $172,897 award from the Agricultural Research Institute (ARI) for their project, “Producing red wine from field condition grapes with different levels of rot infection.”
UPCOMING FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
The Gilman Scholarship Program (U.S. Department of State) provides grants for undergraduate U.S. citizens of limited financial means to study and intern abroad, thereby gaining skills critical to our national security and economic prosperity. Deadline: March 3

The Terra Foundation for American Art actively supports projects that encourage scholarship on American art topics. Academic program funding is available for in-person exchanges such as workshops, symposia, and colloquia. Letter of Intent deadline: March 16.

CSU COAST is accepting applications for the State Science Information Needs Program (SSINP) , which will fund $2.6M to support the state of California’s highest priority ocean, coastal, and coastal watershed related science needs. Deadline: March 25.

National Endowment for the Humanities: Awards for Faculty at Hispanic-Serving Institutions . Awards support individuals pursuing scholarly research that is of value to humanities scholars, students, and/or general audiences. Deadline: April 8

William T. Grant Foundation: Research Grants on Reducing Inequality . Research grants on reducing inequality should aim to build, test, or increase understanding of programs, policies, or practices to reduce inequality in youth outcomes. Deadline: May 6

NSF Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER) : The CAREER Program offers the National Science Foundation's most prestigious awards in support of early-career faculty who have the potential to serve as academic role models in research and education and lead advances in the mission of their department or organization. Deadline: July 27
CENTRAL CALIFORNIA RESEARCH SYMPOSIUM
The 41st Central California Research Symposium will be held at the Madden Library on Weds., April 15. The Call for Abstracts is available online ; all abstracts must be submitted by Friday, Feb. 21 .

The exciting full-day event serves as an excellent opportunity for first-time presenters to gain experience in a supportive, low-pressure environment. New this year: Three-Minute Thesis (3MT) oral presentations. We encourage faculty, residents, graduate and undergraduate students from all fields of research to submit their abstract and come exchange ideas (via oral or poster presentations) among fellow investigators and the general public.
COMPLIANCE CORNER
The Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects (CPHS) has three workshops scheduled this semester open to the entire Fresno State community.

Topics include the history and role of institutional review boards, department-level and University CPHS policies and procedures, and best practices for conducting ethical research. All sessions will take place in Thomas Admin., Rm. 117, on Tues., Feb. 25 (10-11:30 a.m.), Weds., March 18 (3:30-5 p.m.), and Thurs., April 30 (2:30-4 p.m.). 
FACULTY HIGHLIGHTS
Dr. Rajee Amarasinghe , chair of the Department of Mathematics , was named one of the five recipients of this year’s prestigious CSU Wang Family Excellence Award . The Wang Family Excellence Award recognizes only four faculty members and one staff member for their outstanding commitment to student achievement and contributions in their respective fields.

AROUND CAMPUS
Julie Renee Moore ( Madden Library ) has been selected as the recipient of the 2020 Margaret Mann Citation , which recognizes outstanding contributions in the area of teaching cataloging and classification.

Philosophy professor Vadim Keyser and College of Science and Math Dean Christopher Meyer participated in a CSU webcast earlier this month on Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs).

In an effort to empower women and girls to participate in science, the United Nations declared Feb. 11 as International Day of Women and Girls in Science . Fresno State celebrated the day by highlighting several of our own women in science and research, including Katherine Waselkov ( Biology ), Melissa Garrett ( Chemistry ) and Chelsey Juarez ( Anthropology ).

Our own Gayle Sherwood attended the 2020 CREDITS Team Science Institute for Research Development Professionals earlier this month in Irvine, where she learned strategies to strengthen capacity for diverse scientific teams. The NSF-funded program features faculty and research professionals from CSU and UC campuses.
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
NSF has issued a revised version of its Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG ). The new PAPPG will be effective for proposals submitted or due, and awards made, on or after June 1, 2020. Significant changes include required use of an NSF-approved format in submission of the biographical sketch and current and pending support documents, once the PAPPG becomes effective.
TWEET OF THE MONTH
MAKE YOUR PRESENTATION SHINE
Planning to present at the Central California Research Symposium ? Be sure to attend “Designing Effective Research Presentations” on Friday, March 13, in Peters Building, Rm. 103.  Come and learn invaluable tips from Dr. Justin Matthews , assistant professor of psychology at CSU Monterey Bay , who will be conducting workshops from 10 a.m.-Noon and 2-4 p.m. Both sessions will also be streamed via Zoom.
STUDENT SUCCESS
Yovani Munoz , a psychology and Chicano and Latin American Studies student, has been selected as a scholar for the 2020 Society for Research on Adolescence (SRA) Undergraduate Scholars Program. Currently mentored by Dr. Rosa Toro, Yovani's research focuses on the association between engagement and perceived fairness of filial responsibilities among Latinx adolescents’ socioemotional well-being and the moderating role of families.

Visalia native Nicole Phillips (Biology) was featured in the College of Science and Math blog , where she discussed her plans to attend medical school and return to the Central Valley as a physician to target under-served communities while making women’s health a priority.

Chevron announced a $450,000 donation to Fresno State in support of initiatives in engineering, science and homecoming. “These three initiatives lead to student recruitment, retention and ultimately graduation, helping us meet our aggressive graduation goals that benefit the entire state of California,” said President Castro .
Please don't hesitate to contact the grants administrator for your college/unit as you explore potential funding opportunities. Also, be sure to share with us important news or updates on your research, scholarly, or creative activities. Include  NEWSLETTER  in the subject line and send details to  [email protected]

This newsletter is compiled and published by the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs. Part of the Division of Research and Graduate Studies , RSP helps faculty and staff apply for and secure external grant funds.


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