Faculty and Staff Secure Funding Across Disciplines

Faculty and Staff Secure Funding Across Disciplines

By Debby Clark

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For education professor Rebecca Brooks, receiving $2.5 million in grants to expand the Aspiring Scholars program is a dream come true.

"It's incredibly meaningful to give students with intellectual disabilities an inclusive college experience," Brooks said. "My greatest hope was to obtain funding to expand our cohort size and ensure the long-term sustainability of this program. These grants make that vision a reality."

Funding at this level is highly competitive nationwide, yet faculty and staff at CSUSM like Brooks continue to stand out, securing awards that support innovative projects and create transformational experiences for students.

"Our faculty and staff are pursuing some of the most sought-after grants in the nation, alongside leading institutions," said Charles De Leone, dean of graduate studies and research. "It's exciting to see their ideas recognized and to watch how their work enriches our students' experiences, strengthens our campus and serves our broader community."

Examples of projects funded this academic year include:

• Supporting chemistry and biochemistry students: A $2 million grant from the National Science Foundation will fund student scholarships in chemistry and biochemistry as well as a Vertical Mentoring Learning Community (VMLC). Led by Robert Iafe, Afra Panahi and Aswad Allen, the program blends mentoring, research opportunities and priority enrollment for up to 30 students each year, with eight first-year students eligible for renewable $15,000 scholarships.
• Making exercise more accessible: Kinesiology professor Todd Astorino received a $442,590 grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to explore how reduced exertion high-intensity interval training (REHIT) - two short 20-second sprints within a 10-minute workout - can improve health and make exercise more attainable for inactive adults.
• Expanding mobile making in local schools: Funded by the National Science Foundation, this project led by Edward Price, April Nelson and Sinem Siyahhan of the Center for Research and Engagement in STEM Education (CRESE) expands the university's Mobile Making program. Through after-school "making" clubs across North County, undergraduate STEM ambassadors bring hands-on activities and equipment to schools, libraries and community centers.
• Helping students with intellectual disabilities experience college: Brooks and psychology professor Allison Jobin received $2.5 million in grants to expand Aspiring Scholars with full-time staff, a dedicated campus space and additional peer mentors.
• Adding water refill stations: A grant from CalRecycle will enable CSUSM to reach its goal to have a water refill station on every floor of every building. Led by Juliana Goodlaw-Morris, director of sustainability and climate justice, in partnership with Facility Development and Management, this grant will fund 10 new water refill stations and replace five older stations across campus. The project's progress will be measured through station usage, recycling volumes and waste audits.

"Each of these projects reflect the spirit of innovation and collaboration at CSUSM," De Leone said. "They also give students meaningful opportunities to engage in hands-on research that prepares them for their future careers."

Research funding is an integral part of CSUSM's "Blueprint for the Future" campaign, helping advance the university's $200 million goal through both philanthropy and grants.

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