Faculty Awards and Grants

• Associate Chemistry Professor Katie Purvis-Roberts has received $69,574 from the National Science Foundation for a two-year research grant titled "Reactions and Fate of Amines in the Atmosphere Emitted from Animal Feeding Operations." Purvis-Roberts will complete an ambient study of amine incorporation into particulate matter using the Particle-Into-Liquid-Sampler Ion Chromatography system in conjunction with an Aerosol Mass Spectrometer.
• Professor Mary Hatcher-Skeers in Chemistry was awarded $483,521 from the National Science Foundation for a 500 MHz NMR. Her collaborators are Associate Professor Thomas Poon, Assistant Professor Anna Wenzel, and Associate Professor Scott Williams, all chemists.
• Joint Science Dean and Chemistry Professor David Hansen has received a three-year, $191,867 grant from the National Institutes of Health for his project "Self-Assembling Nanostructures of Defined Size" which will prepare self-assembling nanostructures of discrete size. Recent results reported by the Sanders group at the University of Cambridge will be extended to prepare nanotubes and capsules that spontaneously assemble from naphthalene diimi constructs. Ultimately, the supramolecular complexes proposed here can be tailored for a variety of applications, and they may ultimately serve as delivery vehicles for drugs that otherwise exhibit poor mechanics. In addition, the preorganized assemblies may also serve as scaffolds for the creation of artificial enzymes.
• Assistant Professor Daniel Michon of Religious Studies has received $49,715 from the National Endowment for the Humanities for funding on "Virtual Taxila: A Web-Accessible, Multi-User Virtual Environment (MUVE) of an Ancient Indian City." The project will develop a web-accessible, 3D, immersive, multi-user virtual learning environment where visitors will engage in situated, participatory learning of an Indian culture. The project will focus on the city of Taxila, the ancient capital of western Punjab, which was inhabited c. 400BCE to c. 700CE. The project will model both the city's tangible heritage—the built environment and the physical artifacts; and its intangible heritage—the people, their rituals, commercial transactions, and activities.
• Mathematics Associate Professor Mark Huber will be transferring $115,176 of his $346,810 National Science Foundation grant to CMC for his project "Perfect sampling techniques for high dimensional integration." The goal of the project is to build new algorithms for generating random variates from high dimensional distributions, for statistical inference and approximation for #P-complete problems.
• Professor of Economics S. Brock Blomberg of the Economics Department received an additional $50,000 sub-award for his two-year grant awarded by the Department of Homeland Security to the University of Southern California Homeland Security Center for Risk and Economic Analysis of Terrorism Events (USC-CREATE), totaling $150,000. Professor Blomberg is collaborating with USC on a project titled "Modeling and Estimating the Macroeconomic Consequences of Terrorism." This study will provide understanding of the underlying macroeconomic consequences of terrorism. First, it will estimate the long run economic growth effects associated with terrorism. Second, it will explore the extent to which terrorism "crowds-in" and/or "crowds-out" alternative forms of domestic and international conflict. Finally, the paper will conclude by "pricing" the macroeconomic impact of terrorism.
• Associate Professor of Biology Jennifer Armstrong has received funding from the National Science Foundation of $442,053 for her project "RUI: Investigations into the Role of the CHD1 ATPase in Chromosome Structure of Drosophila." Her project aims to understand how chromosomes are formed, how their structure is maintained, and the role of the CHD1 chromatine remodeling factor. In humans, loss of related proteins results in various diseases and cancers. Either loss of CHD1, or overexpression of CHD1, leads to defects in chromosome morphology in the fruit fly. As CHD1 is highly conserved, her studies in the fruit fly should be applicable to other organisms, including humans.
• Associate Professor of Government George Thomas has been awarded $6,000 from the National Endowment for the Humanities for a project titled, "The National University and Sustaining the Constitution Order." This project will offer the first in depth study of the efforts to establish a national university from a constitutional perspective. Thomas seeks to give us a more rounded understanding of modern constitutionalism, as it depends on fostering the mind-set of its citizens.
• Assistant Professor of Biology Diane Thomson in collaboration with Senior Plant Ecologist Kathryn McEachern of the U.S. Geological Survey received $274,359 from the National Science Foundation for a project titled "RUI: Interacting Effects of Climate and Invasive Herbivores on Island Plant Populations and Communities: Santa Rosa Island as a Model System." The project involves collection and analysis of plant monitoring data from Santa Rosa Island to predict effects of introduced herbivores and climate change.
• Professor of Government Minxin Pei has received $24,900 from the National Endowment of the Humanities for the timely completion of the translation of Yang Jisheng's narrative, "Mubei" (Tombstone). "Mubei" is a monumental two volume vivid depiction of the Mao era famine which killed 36 million innocent human beings, the worst such horror in history. In addition, Yang's "Mubei" is more powerful and revealing than Solzhinisyn's "Gulag" books.
• Biology Professor Donald A. McFarlane received funding of $51,751 from the National Science Foundation for a year-long project titled "Sedimentology and Tephrochronology of Caves in the Melinau Karst, Sarawak, Malysisa." The project involves geosciences fieldwork in the caves of Gunung Mulu, National Park, Sarawak (Borneo) and Subsequent Laboratory Analyses.
• History Assistant Professor Albert Park has received a grant of $50,654 from the Department of Education-Fulbright Hays Faculty Research Abroad Program for a book project titled "Agrarian Modernism: Religion and Utopian Agrarian Movements in Colonial Korea, 1925-1937."

• Associate Professor of Biology Zhaohua Irene Tang received a National Science Foundation Research in Undergraduate Institution (RUI) grant of $340,000 along with a $12,000 supplement for her project "RUI: Cell-cycle Regulation of LAMMER-related Kinases," over six years. The primary objective of this project is to study the cell-cycle regulation of Dsk1 and Kic1. The project aims to build upon earlier work on Dsk1 and Kic1 and to gain a better understanding of their function in cell growth and proliferation. Developed, submitted, and awarded in 2004-2005.
• Associate Professor of Biology Emily Wiley was awarded a five-year grant for $654,228 from the National Science Foundation for a project entitled, "Genetic Analysis of the Brahma Chromatin Remodeling Complex in Drosophila." Developed, submitted, and awarded during 2005-2006.
• Professor of Chemistry Newton H. Copp was awarded $498,711 from the National Science Foundation for a five-year project that aims to increase science graduates through interdisciplinary teaching and research. The goal is to expand the pool of undergraduates who complete a major in biology, chemistry, physics, or related interdisciplinary fields primarily by creating a sequence of introductory courses that brings together major principles and concepts of biology, chemistry, and physics. Copp's collaborators are Chemistry Professor Kersey Black, Biology Associate Professor Gretchen Edwalds-Gilbert, Physics Professor Scot Gould, and Associate Chemistry Professor Katie Purvis-Roberts. Developed, submitted, and awarded in 2005-2006.
• Professor John Milton of the Biology Department received a five-year National Science Foundation grant for $429,878 in collaboration with Arthur Lee and Mario Martelli of the Claremont McKenna College Math Department, Lisette dePillis of the Harvey Mudd Math Department, and Gregory Dewey of the Keck Graduate Institute. The project is titled "UBM-Institutional: Research Experiences at the Biological-Mathematical Interface." This is a training grant for students at the interface between biology and mathematics. Developed and submitted in 2005-2006; awarded in 2006-2007.
• Associate Professor of Biology, Jennifer Armstrong, received $303,878 from the National Science Foundation for "Analysis of the Role of CHD1 in Chromatin Structure and Transcription." This three-year project uses modern techniques in molecular genetics to study the activity of the CHD1 protein. The function of CHD1 in chromatin structure and gene expression in a living organism is not understood, and this project addresses that gap in knowledge. Loss of other chromatin remodeling factors leads to cancer in humans. Developed, submitted, and awarded in 2006-2007.
• Psychology Professor Diane Halpern and Associate Professor Keith Millis of Northern Illinois University were awarded a grant from the Department of Education for $240,000 for their project "Acquiring Research Investigative and Evaluative Skills (ARIES) for Scientific Inquiry." Developed and submitted in 2005-2006; awarded in 2006-2007.
• Associate Professor Wei-Chin Hwang of the Psychology Department received a grant for $270,589 from the National Institutes of Health for a project titled "Therapist Factors that Predict Treatment Outcomes Among Ethnic Minority Clients." Developed, submitted, and awarded in 2007-2008.
• Psychology Associate Professor Wei-Chin Hwang and Professor Stanley Sue of the University of California Davis were awarded $500,670 from the National Institutes of Health for their project "Adapting CBT for Chinese Americans." Developed, submitted, and awarded in 2006-2007.
• Assistant Mathematics Professor Leonid Fukshansky in collaboration with Scripps College Associate Mathematics Professor Chris Towse received $6,250 from the National Science Foundation for a Claremont Colleges Mathematics Research Experiences for Undergraduates. Developed, submitted, and awarded in 2007-2008.
• Economics Professor S. Brock Blomberg received an $100,000 sub-award from the Department of Homeland Security to USC-CREATE for a year-long grant in collaboration with USC on a project titled "Modeling and Estimating the Macroeconomic Consequences of Terrorism." Developed, submitted, and awarded in 2008-2009. In 2009, Blomberg received an additional year and $50,000 for continuation of this grant. Developed, submitted, and awarded in 2008-2009.

Submitted Grants

• Biology Professor John Milton submitted a four-year, $443,280 project titled "Noise, Delays, and Development of Expertise" to the National Science Foundation. This project will test the intermittent neural control strategy necessary to maintain balance in an unpredictable environment through non-invasive high speed motion capture techniques. Mathematical models will be developed to test whether the movements are controlled non-predicatively or predicatively using an internal model.ⁱ
• Assistant Professor of History Shane Bjornlie has submitted a grant to the National Endowment for the Humanities for a $6,000 fellowship, which will allow the completion of his current book project, Politics and Tradition in Sixth-Century Italy: A Study of Cassiodorus and the Variae. His project examines the political context for a collection of governmental letters written by Cassiodorus during Italy's transition from a late-classical to a post-classical society.
• Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience Catherine Reed submitted a $411,008 grant to the National Science Foundation in collaboration with Scripps College and Pitzer College for the acquisition of a high-density electrophysiology laboratory. The application is for a high-resolution electrophalography/event related potential laboratory to be shared by faculty and students of the Joint Science Department. It will be used to investigate the spatial and temporal dimensions of brain activity associated with human cognition in infants, young adults, and older adults in typical and atypical populations.ⁱⁱ
• Associate Dean of History Lisa Cody submitted a grant to the National Endowment for the Humanities for a $6,000 fellowship, which will provide finalizing research and the writing of a full draft of her book Divided We Stand: Divorce and Female Independence in the British World of the American Revolution. The primary focus in Divided We Stand is the uncovering and analysis of a vast array of marriages, throughout the British Isles and Atlantic world.

Recently Expired Grants-CMC

• Associate Psychology Professor Dan Krauss along with Joel Liberman of the University of Nevada-Las Vegas were awarded a two-year $179,669 grant from the National Science Foundation for a project titled "Can Jurors Think Rationally about Expert Testimony Concerning Dangerousness in Sexually Violent Predator Hearings?" Developed, submitted, and awarded in 2005-2006.
• Associate Professor of Psychology Dan Krauss received a one-year, $26,249 supplement for his National Science Foundation grant titled "Can Jurors Think Rationally about Expert Testimony Concerning Dangerousness in Sexually Violent Predator Hearings?" Developed and submitted in 2006-2007, awarded in 2007-2008.
• Associate Professor of Economics Marc Weidenmier in collaboration with Kris Mitchener of Santa Clara University, received a three-year National Science Foundation grant of $344, 790 for his project entitled "Sovereign Debt Default, Empire, and Trade during the Gold Standard." Developed, submitted, and awarded in 2004-2005.
• Former Mathematics Professor Mario Martelli, as co-P.I., along with Jim Hoste of Pitzer College received a National Science Foundation grant of $243,531 for their proposal "Claremont Colleges Mathematics REU Site." Developed, submitted, and awarded in 2004-2005.

Recently Expired Grants-JSD

• Associate Professor of Chemistry Scott Williams received a two-year, $3,300 grant from the National Science Foundation for a project titled "A Cyber-Enabled Community of Practice for Improving Inorganic Chemical Education." He collaborated with Professor Hilary Eppley of DePauw University. The goal was to enhance the inorganic chemistry classroom and laboratory experience for students and faculty members through the development and growth of IONiC (Intellectual Online Network of Inorganic Chemists), a vibrant virtual "community of practice." The community's foundation will be a cyber-interface that facilitates collaborative development of learning materials and their dissemination to the wider inorganic community. Developed, submitted, and awarded in 2007-2008.
• Biology Professor John Milton was awarded a three-year grant for $317,133 from the National Science Foundation for a project entitled, "Noise, Delays, and Development of Expertise." This project focused on the development of expertise in stick balancing and is studied in the context of a model-based description. Since balance control is essential for expert performance of many motor tasks, this study will translate into the design of more efficient teaching, coaching and neurorehabilitative strategies. Developed and submitted in 2005-2006; awarded in 2006-2007.
• Chemistry Professor Mary Hatcher-Skeers received a three-year, $170,219 grant from the National Cancer Institute for a project titled "Dynamic 31P NMR of Backbone Dynamics in DNA." The project focused on how proteins recognize specific DNA sequences and the effects of cytosine methylation on this recognition as well as studying the role of DNA dynamics in this recognition process. Developed and submitted in 2004-2005 and awarded in 2005-2006.
• Associate Professor of Biology Gretchen Edwalds-Gilbert received a two-year, $174,399 grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences for her project on "Regulation of Spliceosomal ATPase Activity." Her goal was to identify and characterize co-factors that modulate the activity of one member of this protein family, Prp43. She used biochemical and genetic approaches to identify the spliceosome interaction domain(s) of Prp43 and identify and characterize potential cofactors for Prp43. Developed, submitted, and awarded in 2004-2005.

ⁱ This grant was awarded on 08/08/2010. The awarded amount is $355,198.

ⁱⁱ This grant was awarded in full on 10/01/2010. The awarded amount is $411,008. This grant was submitted by Scripps College because it is to be housed there.