SEPTEMBER 2020
Research and Sponsored Programs Update
ANOTHER RECORD-BREAKING YEAR
One year after launching our newsletter with exciting news about a record-setting period in grants and contracts, we’re pleased to announce the bar has been raised yet again. Our congratulations to the Fresno Staff faculty and staff who received 347 awards and $46.7 million to support their research last year – a 3.6% increase over 2018-19.

Grants and contracts come in all shapes and sizes, from modest awards to individual faculty members to multimillion-dollar grants that involve collegewide, universitywide and communitywide cooperation. A total of 503 proposals were submitted through our office last year, including 116 from the College of Science and Mathematics.

“Even in these unprecedented times, research continues to thrive at Fresno State, as evidenced by yet another record year for grant awards,” said Dr. James E. Marshall, Dean of Research and Graduate Studies. “This is a tribute to the many dedicated and resilient faculty and staff members participating in grant-supported scholarship.”

We continue to see an increase in first-time project directors and are especially pleased to note that over 30 faculty/staff have completed the Grant Proposal Certificate Program since its inception three years ago, including nine new recipients last year. The success of our faculty/staff to secure funding for their impactful projects speaks volumes, and we look forward to supporting you in the years to come.
SEPTEMBER AWARD REPORT
Fresno State has received a five-year, $2,996,912 grant from USDE Developing HSI Program (DHSI) to strengthen and expand educational opportunities for Hispanic and low-income students.

Steve Blumenshine (Biology) received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Award for 2020-21.

Leece Lee-Oliver (Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies) received a $5,000 grant from California Humanities for the project “American Indian Culture and Art as Pedagogy: A Teaching and Learning Exhibit.”
Luz Herrera (Literacy, Early, Bilingual and Special Education) received a $28,637 grant from the Madera Unified School District to implement the Teacher Residency Program.

Deify Law (Mechanical Engineering) received a $5,000 grant from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers to design, build, and test an external combustion heat engine unit.

David Foster and Chris Mathias (Central California Training Academy) received a $174,900 grant from the County of Monterey to provide field-based training to the County’s Child Welfare Services agency.  
UPCOMING FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
TWEET OF THE MONTH
FACULTY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Sankha Banerjee (Mechanical Engineering) spoke about his project, "Design and Fabrication of Electro and Photo-active Materials for Applications in Biomedical Devices and Water Purification," during a CSU webcast on Exemplars in Engineering Research.


  • Faith Sidlow and Kim Stephens (Media, Communications & Journalism) announced that Routledge Books will publish their next book, “Broadcast News in the Digital Age.”

  • Brandon Taylor (Recreation Administration) has partnered with faculty from CSU East Bay and the California Park and Recreation Society to lead workshops for Recreation and Leisure Professionals on the topic of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.


  • Helda Pinzón-Perez (Public Health) assisted in the development of an instrument to assess mental health issues related to COVID-19 and other factors among Indigenous people of Oaxaca, Mexico, living in the Central Valley.
WE’RE HERE FOR YOU
We're celebrating National Research Administrator Day (Sept. 25) by highlighting our stellar trio of Maral Kismetian, Gayle Sherwood and Judy Gagnebin. All three are available to meet individually via Zoom to discuss your research interests and assist with your proposal. Please see their current assignments below; note that Judy has expanded her portfolio to include Student Affairs, beginning Oct. 1.

  • Maral Kismetian: Lyles College of Engineering, Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, Academic Affairs, Office of the President, Administrative Services and Technology Services

  • Gayle Sherwood: College of Science and Mathematics, College of Arts and Humanities and College of Social Sciences

  • Judy Gagnebin: Kremen School of Education and Human Development, College of Health and Human Services, Student Affairs, Craig School of Business and Henry Madden Library
COMPLIANCE CORNER
Join chair Jennifer Randles as the Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects continues its fall workshop series with two upcoming virtual workshops:

Learn about the history and role of Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) - Weds., Oct. 14 (3-4:30 p.m.)

Become familiar with Departmental Level and University CPHS Review Procedures – Thurs., Nov. 19 (1-2:30 p.m.)

>> CPHS has issued guidance regarding ethical practices for the continuation of research involving human subjects during this time to limit exposure to the coronavirus.
GRANT WRITING WORKSHOPS
Hosted by the HSI STEM Resource Hub, the Preflight Grantsmanship Certification Series is a free learning resource designed for those interested in writing a grant proposal for the first time. The training is designed as a self-guided and self-paced modular series.

Our Fall grant proposal workshop series has moved online with videos on subjects such as budget development, compliance and the grant process. We’re also continuing our grant proposal certificate program, which recognizes faculty/staff who view a number of our videos, meet with their grant manager and submit a proposal during the academic year.

Leslie Ponciano, CSU Director of Research Opportunities, has announced plans for a systemwide interactive virtual Grant Proposal Mentoring event on Friday, Nov. 6. If you are interested in serving as a mentor and/or participant, please contact us at orsp@csufresno.edu.
VIRTUAL EVENTS
The National Science Foundation is hosting an online event focused on highlighting opportunities for Broadening Participation in STEM through Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Weds., Sept. 30 from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. PT.

The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) and the U.S. Department of Energy will present a free webinar titled “Funding Opportunities for HSIs” on Weds., Sept. 30, at 10 a.m. PT.
IN THE NEWS
  • Congratulations to President Joseph I. Castro, who has been appointed to serve as the eighth chancellor of the California State University. 

  • Anghma Ahmed shared her research experience with Dr. Cory Brooks: “The beautiful thing about being in the lab is that you learn new things everyday.”


  • Animal science senior Cynthia Lopez positioned herself for a great summer internship.




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 orsp@csufresno.edu.

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.
Share This Email:
California State University, Fresno
Research and Sponsored Programs
5241 N. Maple Avenue, M/S TA53 Fresno, CA 93740
P: 559.278.0840
F: 559-278-4658