Spring 2022 ReView Magazine- Research & Innovation- Prairie View A&M University

VOL5 NO1 2022

RESEARCH

EXCELLENCE

AT

THE

VIEW

PVAMU ACHIEVES

CARNEGIE R2 DESIGNATION

in this Issue 04

From the VPRI

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06

Industrial Hemp Research

08

PVAMU MAINTAINS THE LARGEST INDUSTRIAL HEMP COLLECTION IN TEXAS

CONT

R2 Carnegie Status

08

Agriculture & Human Sciences

10

Architecture

10

12

Arts & Sciences

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14

Business

16

Education

18

Engineering

20

Juvenile Justice

21

Nursing

COVID-19 Impact on Mental Health

17

STUDENTS PRESENTED RESEARCH AT RAMP CONFERENCE

RESEARCH@PVAMU.EDU | 936.261.1570

21 Condensed Matter Physics SHED LIGHT ON THE NATURE OF NOVEL ELECTRONIC PHASES

12

18 16

THE COLLEGE OF NURSING CELEBRATES 100 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE

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Impact & Adoption ONGOING RESEARCH ON TWO INTERRELATED STREAMS

17

Mechanical Engineering

BIO-DERIVED FUELS COMBUST IN THE CONTEXT OF PETROLEUM-BASED LIQUID FUELS

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

NTENTS

100 Years

WILHELMINA FITZGERALD DELCO BLDG., SUITE 120, PRAIRIE VIEW, TEXAS 77446

2022 REVIEW MAGAZINE // RESEARCH & INNOVATION

Message from The Vice President The onset of the Global Pandemic of 2020 proved to be an opportunity for us to demonstrate our ingenuity and resiliency in our commitment to the university’s research enterprise.

In

2019, I invisioned elevating the research and innovation enterprises to a level that would result in PVAMU’s Carnegie Classification being elevated to an R2 – High research activity institution in five years, by 2024.I am extremely pleased to share the announcement of Prairie View A&M University’s (PVAMU) elevation to R2-High Research Activity Institution status

by Carnegie Classification in 2022. It is a big moment in the history and elevation of PVAMU. Executing the vision and attaining the goal required dedicated leadership, strategies, numerous nurturing initiatives, collaborations and partnerships, and increased emphasis on research and scholarly activities. The Division of Research & Innovation (R&I) served as Prairie View A&M University’s (PVAMU) nucleus for aligning, structuring, and guiding faculty, research scientists, staff, and students into a cohesive, strategic path of elevating the university’s research enterprise.

With the collaboration of Academic Affairs, Graduate Studies, Academic Colleges and Departments, Research Institutes and Centers and faculty researchers from all three PVAMU campuses, R&I committed itself to getting research and innovation “On The RISE.”

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"ENJOY THE REVIEW OF OUR JOURNEY TO R2."

RESEARCH & INNOVATION \\ 2022 REVIEW MAGAZINE

PH.D., P.E., MBA VICE PRESIDENT

>>>>>>>>>>>>>

MAGESH RAJAN

PVAMU JOURNEY TO R2 RESEARCH & INNOVATION

CONT. The COVID-19 pandemic and its resulting disruptions were not part of our research elevation plan. However, the pandemic challenge actually fueled our researchers in seeking projects and solutions for problems and challenges being revealed, which positioned PVAMU on a trajectory of discovery and achievement like never before.

We increased our research proposals, awards, expenditures, significantly. Our industry and community partnerships grew significantly.

The university’s impact expanded beyond our local and regional communities, to statewide and beyond. As a result of our rapid growth, the Carnegie Classification elevated Prairie View A&M University to an R2-High Research Activity Institution in February 2022. To achieve this elevated status within three years is a phenomenal achievement! I hope that you will enjoy reading this edition of the ReView magazine, learning about the high-impact research and innovations that are currently underway in various disciplines across the university, and see their impact on the broader society and transforming lives.

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2022 REVIEW MAGAZINE // RESEARCH & INNOVATION

RESEARCH & INNOVATION UNITS & MISSIONS

The Office of Research Advancement Provide support to increase the pursuit

Innovation-CommercializationEntrepreneurship-Economic Development Center (ICEED)

broader grant-seeking services, nurture faculty research activities, and facilitate partnerships with federal agencies and institutions at regional and global levels.

Provide exceptional leadership and expertise in sponsored research

of large-scale, sponsored research opportunities, provide strategic and

Office of Sponsored Programs

Provide support for intellectual property development, technology transfers, and commercialization that further fuels the research and innovation enterprise. facivividem tus opopubl icupiena, quit

administration across the entire lifecycle from proposal development and submission through award management and close-out and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.

PVAMU ACHIEVES PRESTIGIOUS

CARNEGIE R2 STATUS OF HIGH RESEARCH ACTIVITY Every three years, over 3,900 colleges and universities are assessed by the Carnegie Classification of Institutes of Higher Education using the leading framework for recognizing and describing institutions in the U.S. In February 2022, Prairie View A&M University was elevated to the high research activity (R2) doctoral-granting status institution by the Carnegie Classification of Institutes of Higher Education.

"This designation is made possible because of the hard work of outstanding faculty and dedicated researchers. Their focus on advanced education and valuable research paved the way for PVAMU to achieve this distinction," shared PVAMU President Ruth Simmons. "Yet our work is still not done; we must remain focused on building the best environment for excellence in learning, teaching, scholarship, and research."

Achieving the high research activity designation by Carnegie Classification is a significant part of the vision and five-year strategic

planning designed and championed by Vice President Magesh Rajan, Ph.D., P.E., MBA, upon his arrival at PVAMU in 2019. Elevating PVAMU's research and innovation enterprise has been his vision and goal.

"It is remarkable for PVAMU to go from an M1: Master's Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs to an R2 within three years as compared to the five-year plan for achieving the R2 status," said Rajan. "It feels astonishing to reach this historic milestone for PVAMU while leading in the midst of a long global pandemic and the disruptions it had caused to our lives and the day-to-day operations." "It affirms our standing as a high-quality institution of higher learning and embodies our commitment to excellence in research and innovations across eight colleges and schools, as well as the broader student experiences," said Vice President Rajan.

Vision

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"Elevate PVAMU to a higher research activity doctoral-granting institution status through nurturing an outstanding culture of support for the research community and growing a vibrant, innovative research community for a broader social and economic impact."

Achieving the vision of elevating PVAMU's research and innovation was possible through targeted initiatives that would have a measurable impact, reimagining R&I services, establishing missions, goals, and metrics-based proven corporate practices by Vice President Rajan.

t

RESEARCH & INNOVATION \\ 2022 REVIEW MAGAZINE Office of Research Compliance

Office of Title III Programs

Office of Undergraduate Research

Office of Research Communications

Provide exceptional support and service

Support to strengthen university

Provide exceptional service in supporting

Increase the research and innovation

infrastructure by ensuring effective

and promoting high-quality mentored

enterprise's visibility by providing

planning, implementation, and

undergraduate research, scholarship, and

exceptional marketing and

management of Title III programs of high-

creative inquiry in partnership with faculty

communication services, infusing

impact activities.

across broad disciplines.

bold, creative, and impactful content,

to the campus research community so that PVAMU is compliant with federal, state, and system regulations, as well as institutional policies through training, promoting safe and ethical research conduct, and instituting research

and rigorous digital and social media engagement.

compliance policies.

ACHIEVING THE VISION After restructuring the Division of Research & Innovation and relocating all the services one building, Rajan commenced executing the next phase of his R2 elevation plan.

High-research activity institution status encompasses increased level of doctoral degree offerings, higher standard of research expenditures, and initiatives that cultivate a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship across campus. After three years of data collection, seminars, workshops on grant funding and opportunities, and a steady increase in grant awards, PVAMU witnessed growth and impact annually not only in research dollars but also a targeted growth in the number of students earning their doctoral degrees and increasing their doctoral program offerings.PVAMU Vice President Magesh Rajan, Ph.D., has launched several initiatives for faculty, students, and staff to elevate the university's scholarly research, discoveries, and innovations.

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Research and Innovation for Scholarly Excellence (RISE) programs.

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Panther RISE Program (Partnership with Texas A&M University)

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Faculty RISE Program

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Undergraduate Student RISE Program

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Graduate Student RISE Program

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Panther Invent (Entrepreneurship Competition)

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RAPID Grant Program for Research and Innovation

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Research and Innovation Training Institute (RITI)

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Research & Innovation Week

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Faculty Recognition Awards for Research & Innovation

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Over 25 Private Partnerships with Corporations, National Labs, and Universities

Vice President Mageh Rajan stated, "It is remarkable for PVAMU to go from an M1: Master's Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs to an R2 within three years," said Rajan.

"PVAMU proposals and the amounts requested have doubled since 2018 from 150 proposals at $100 million to over 300 proposals and at $200 million, with a steady increase in funded awards from 58 to 83 awards per year. The total annual sponsored awards increased by 236% since 2018 to over $47 million. The total annual sponsored expenditures nearly doubled to $37 million since 2018, and surpassed over $100 million in last five years."

"PVAMU awarded 22 doctoral degrees in 2020. The university awarded 63 doctoral degrees in the past five years and amassed $105 million in research expenditures for the period," said James Palmer, Ph.D., Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs.

"Since much research is still needed to meet the challenges and opportunity gaps of Texas learners, the R2 classification will elevate Prairie View A&M University's status in recruiting additional scholars who desire to promote learning for all students. It also presents an opportunity for Prairie View to attract even more talented staff and graduate students," said Tyrone Tanner, Interim Dean of Graduate Studies.

These are the factors that accelerated PVAMU to accomplish its R2 goal in record time. The unified efforts are significantly thrusting us towards reaching the ranking sooner than planned. This ascension to greatness is a standard hallmark in the legacy and history of Prairie View A&M, the second oldest public institution of higher education in the State of Texas. Today, more than 9,000 are enrolled, and PVAMU offers degrees in more than 50 programs.

R&I's investing in PVAMU faculty research and securing partnerships with federal agencies, governmental bodies, and corporate entities delivered great returns for the entire university.

The Carnegie Classification acknowledges Prairie View A&M University as an asset. PVAMU is one of only ten HBCUs to be granted R2 status and one of only four Texas A&M University System members in this category. R&I will continue to build upon the R2 momentum and continue its commitment to becoming an emerging research institution.

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Agriculture &

Human Sciences WATER-ENERGY-FOOD NEXUS | CLIMATE-SMART AGRICULTURE | NATURE-BASED-SOLUTIONS

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riculture and Human Sciences teaching, research, and extension programs; and Ahmed Ahmed from Computer Science. The Texas A&M University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Co-PIs are Rabi Mohtar, Janie Moore, Kim Dooley, and Robert Strong. Professor Fares looks forward to expanding his research endeavors now with PVAMU Carnegie Classification being elevated to an R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity. Along with providing access to additional resources that were not available before, he believes, the R2 status will incentivize high-caliber researchers to join PVAMU and raise the university’s rank among funding agencies and collaborating institutions

A

long with providing access to additional resources that were not available before, he believes, the R2 status will incentivize high-caliber researchers to join PVAMU and raise the university’s rank among funding agencies and collaborating institutions.

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s Endowed Professor of Water Security and Water Energy and Food Nexus, Ali Fares, Ph.D., is spearheading a research project to address the needs in Smart Agriculture Systems and Food Safety. GetAgSmart, a $749,719 U.S. Department of Agriculture-funded Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU)-Texas A&M University (TAMU) Joint Project, aims to enhance the training of underrepresented 6-12 and undergraduate students in agricultural disciplines by developing educational modules in smart agriculture technology. It will also provide training for agriculture professionals on advanced agricultural technologies through informal learning objects created by youth participants. Publicly accessible platforms will be used to engage youth, underrepresented undergraduate students, and agricultural professionals on smart agriculture technologies.

Technologies include innovative data collection technologies (e.g., drones, geo-spatial and wireless sensing technologies, animal feeding patterns, and health monitoring sensors) and their applications for agricultural production and natural resources management. The project addresses the nation’s needs in the Smart Agriculture System and Food Safety. GetAgSmart will empower an essential and increasingly growing section of the US population, African American and Minority students and professionals, to secure jobs in disciplines that will continue to be in high demand. Fares’ PVAMU Co-PIs include Peter Ampim, Ripendra Awal, Ram Ray, Rukeia Draw-Hood from the College of Ag-

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RESEARCH & INNOVATION \\ 2022 REVIEW MAGAZINE

>>> “….Will elevate the research profile of our tripartite land grant mission and enhance our competitiveness, regionally and nationally.”

------ GERARD D'SOUZA, PH.D. | Dean ------

>>>

B

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>>> >>> HEMP Research Professor Aruna Weerasooriya and his team will dissect genomic hotspots underlying botanical characters of different hemp strains to develop well-curated germplasm and hemp-based product development research with the involvement of Agriculture undergraduate students.

eing a versatile industrial crop, hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) has allowed a proliferation of specialized markets in the United States that harness numerous products, such as fiber from the stalks, medicine from the inflorescences, oil, and superfood from seeds, etc. Although Texas is excited about the economic implications of this crop, there are several issues yet to be addressed through scientific research that support the future sustainability of the hemp industry in Texas. Professor Aruna Weerasooriya and his team at the Cooperative Agricultural Research Center (CARC), College of Agriculture and Human Sciences (CAHS) at Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) are undertaking an integrated approach to hemp research. Weerasooriya’s research funded by the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA/ NIFA) will dissect genomic hotspots underlying botanical characters of different hemp strains to develop well-curated germplasm and hemp-based product development research with the involvement of Agriculture undergraduate students. Weerasooriya says first and foremost, there is a deficiency in basic scientific data for decision-making related to the hemp strains, which aim

at breeding, identifying diverse usages, and providing the regulatory guidelines.

Although this plant group is represented by a single species, which also includes marijuana, he believes a massive genetic reticulation exists within the species due to prolonged domestication and intensive breeding by illegal growers, complicating the identification among strains.

The research team includes ten experts in various scientific fields such as botany, agronomy, phytochemistry, polymer chemistry, genetics, food science, microbiology, animal science, and economics.

PVAMU maintains the Texas largest living industrial hemp germplasm collection in the newly developed greenhouses. Since the inception of this research, many industrial and academic partnerships have been developed. They are also developing the US first Industrial hemp herbarium and fiber collection at CARC. The digitized repository will be available in the public domain soon. vAlthough the main research is funded by the USDA/NIFA, the undergraduate research components are funded through the Vice President of Research & Innovation’s Faculty-RISE grant program. Given below are the undergraduate research topics studied under this program and the results were published in peer-reviewed journals and presented in national level symposia by students as lead authors.

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2022 REVIEW MAGAZINE // RESEARCH & INNOVATION

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Architecture

A

STEAM FOR MIDDLE-SCHOOL STUDENTS ssistant Professor Hira Rob-

East Texas is their current project partner. There is a

light to the digital media arts program and our mis-

erts and the Digital Media Arts

plan to replicate the study with local school districts

sion in the School of Architecture.

(DGMA) faculty of Prairie View

near Prairie View A&M.

A&M University (PVAMU) are working in collaboration with the Visualization Lab at Texas A&M University (TAMU). Their research project focuses on the impact of near-peer mentoring by our college students on interest in digital arts and for

science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) subjects among middle-schoolaged students. TAMU's Tim McLaughlin from the Department of Visualization is the project lead. TAMU-PVAMU partnered with Gearbox Software. The Simons Foundation's Science Sandbox is funding

Roberts's team is researching factors that cause friction while pursuing artistic careers amongst targeted focus groups consisting of primarily African American and Latinx middle schoolers by incorporating multiple methods and tools. The research's primary focus is increasing enrollment in STEAM careers through digital world-building and game development at middle school and high school levels.

However, PVAMU also focuses on understanding factors that cause friction in the pursuit of studying digital art as a major and providing solutions to mitigate them, thereby increasing diversity in art and technology.

----- HIRA ROBERTS, PH.D. ------

the two-year study, which began in September 2021.

Roberts is encouraged by Prairie View A&M's new

Roberts is the lead from PVAMU, with Tracey Moore

classification as a Carnegie R2 institute. She says

as Co-PI. Longview Independent School District in

this recognition will further their goal of bringing

Prairie Dwelling 360

1

This single-family ADU was designed by PVAMU School of Architecture students and features an efficient, affordable modular design that is 360 square feet. these accery dwelling units are meant to be a mode for Houstonians in historic neighborhoods. The design team is working in partnership with Houston Habitat to construct a prototype that is easy to assemble quily after a natural disater, to provide immediate return.

J. April ward

10 //

Research Assistance Designed by H House 360

2

The ADU can serve as a temporary home instead of a FEMA trailer or hotel and can remain in place as second permant residence for a family member or as a rental. Resilient stratefies include, affordable, eofriendly water resistant materials, off-grid solar energy production and water conservation that would protect the family during a storm.

student designed

RESEARCH & INNOVATION \\ 2022 REVIEW MAGAZINE

s-

“..This R2 classification supports this goal of producing additional doctoral graduates and enhancing our research in developing sustainable communities.”

------ DR. IKHLAS SABOUNI, PH.D. | Dean ------

JESSICA WARD

>>>

ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT PROJECT The Accessory dwelling unit, (ADU)

been recognized nationally by the

is a secondary housing unit on a

AIA Design for Aging Fellowship in

single-family residential lot. Prai-

2019-2020. Ward also designed a

rie View A&M University School of

FEMA housing recovery prototype

Architecture students conceived

for the Houston-Galveston Area

an ADU that features an efficient,

Council in 2015 for Hurricane Ike re-

affordable modular design that is

covery, which lead to 20 units be-

360 square feet. This ADU is meant

ing built which led to her current re-

to be a model for Houstonians in

search.

historic neighborhoods. The design team is working in partnership with Houston Habitat to construct a prototype that is easy to assemble quickly after a natural disaster, to provide immediate return to the property that has been damaged.

The ADU can serve as a temporary home instead of a FEMA trailer or hotel and can remain in place as a second permanent residence

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for a family member or as a rental. The resilient strategies include affordable, eco-friendly water-resistant materials, off-grid solar en-

The Ph.D. Candidate and Faculty Advisor with American Institute of Architecture Students + Freedom

by Design believes her research will be useful and provide sustainable benefits to those in the local and regional community. The study will produce a climate-responsive, FEMA-hurricane-ready micro-home prototype with renewable energy and air quality monitoring. Ward’s research also addresses climate justice issues in the Gulf Coast Region.

ergy production, and water conser-

Ward is proud PVAMU has elevat-

vation that would protect the family

ed in its Carnegie Classification. By

during a storm. Ward holds sever-

becoming an R2 institution, she be-

al professional certifications. She

lieves this will support the growth

has earned the Evidence-Based

of cutting-edge curriculum for

Design Accreditation and Certifi-

PVAMU students and allow them

cation and the Leadership in Ener-

to participate in philosophical con-

gy and Environmental Design cer-

versations within the field of archi-

tification—the most widely used

tecture.

green building rating system globally. Her research focusing on the recovery process for seniors in historic Houston neighborhoods has

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I

Natali Hritonenko, Ph.D.

MATHEMATICAL MODELING FOR BIOMEDICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

nterim Associate Dean and Professor of Mathematics. Natali Hritonenko Ph.D.'s current research focuses on mathematical modeling and optimization and their applications.

Hritonenkoto is specifically interested in addressing various contemporary problems significant to environmental sciences, operations research, economics, population biology, and biomedical sciences.

She uses mathematical techniques to study open questions on sustainable management in forestry, rational pollution mitigation and environmental adaptation strategies, balanced equipment replacement and firm modernization under technological innovations, and COVID-19 pandemic and effectiveness of preventive measures. Hritonenko’s collaborations on interdisciplinary projects with a diverse team of experts from leading research centers and universities in Belgium, France, Spain, Japan, and Kazachstan make the proposed models re-

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alistic and suggested recommendations practical. She notes that forestry farmers in Catalonia, Spain, have used her recommendations on sustainable harvesting with maximum profit from timber production and carbon sequestration.

Invitations to serve as an visiting professor allow Hritonenko to travel to different countries each summer, collaborate on groundbreaking projects, and share her research with scientists, students, and practitioners around the globe. Understanding the importance of mathematical literacy, Hritonenko is continuously working to improve mathematical education. She aims to bring mathematics’ fascinating and versatile nature to her students and general audience while also revealing to them the insights that mathematics can bring to any subject. Dr. Hritonenko has published eight books and over 150 papers in well recognized high-indexed journals and presented her research outcomes at numerous conferences and workshops. Some of her books have been used as textbooks and translated to foreign languages.

Physics

>>>

Arts & Sciences

2022 REVIEW MAGAZINE // RESEARCH & INNOVATION

REPLACE THE TEXT WITH EXOTIC QUANTUM LIQUID PHASES

Department of Physics Professor Orion Ciftja, Ph.D.’s present research deals with exotic quantum liquid phases of electrons due to intrinsic degrees of anisotropy. Ciftja is the principal investigator for the project Exotic Quantum Liquid Phases Due to Intrinsic Degrees of Anisotropy, which is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF). This research predicts the appearance of exotic anisotropic phases of electrons with novel quantum features. Electronic devices built based on principles studied in this project would be very sensitive to local direction and may play a crucial role in manufacturing novel technologies.

This project aims to shed light on the nature of novel electronic phases that have not yet been observed experimentally.

Theory highlighted in this project applies to experiments on two-dimensional electron systems with strong mass anisotropy where unusual anisotropic transport in the quantum Hall regime is anticipated. In more concrete terms, the ideas of this research can be relevant to understanding experiments in two-dimensional systems of electrons confined in Aluminum-Arsenide (AlAs), or similar, quantum wells. The very large effective mass anisotropy of such systems combined with the inherent piezo-electric effect of the samples should lead to anisotropic features, which in broad terms should be consistent with the outcomes predicted in this project.

This problem is of great importance to various fields overlapping with theoretical condensed matter physics, materials science, and nanotechnology. The activities conducted in this project will also lead to developing research opportunities for students. Ciftja expects his research experience to benefit from PVAMU’s recognition as a Carnegie R2 institution.

Professor Orion Ciftja, Ph.D. (left) and his student.

RESEARCH & INNOVATION \\ 2022 REVIEW MAGAZINE

Chemistry

>>>

PHOTOTHERMAL APPROACH TO CANCER TREATMENT

Gururaj Neelgund, Ph.D.'s project, funded by the National Academies of Sciences, will help make current cancer treatment accessible. The assistant professor of chemistry in the Brailsford College of Arts and Sciences Photothermal therapy is an advanced therapeutic approach used in cancer treatment. Presently, this method uses gold nanomaterials, making this therapy expensive and non-affordable to many.

Neelgund's process is to replace costly gold with an inexpensive material, copper, without reducing the efficiency of therapy. Neelgund's study aims to modify the expensive photothermal therapy as affordable and easily accessible to a broader population. The chemist believes his project will improve cancer therapy's significance to the benefit of cancer patients and the field of cancer research.

With this study, Neelgund will provide an opportunity for graduate and undergraduate students of PVAMU to get hands-on experience in the integrated areas of the study comprised of chemistry, materials science, nanotechnology, and cancer.

------

Dorie Gilbert, Ph.D. | Dean ------

>>>

Psychology

“…We want to build on this momentum by continuing to push the bounds of discovery with impactful collaborative research across all our disciplines…”

MORALITY AND DEATH PENALTY The National Science Foundation (NSF) funds Psychology Assistant Professor Logan Yelderman, Ph.D.’s current research project, Understanding How Jurors Weigh Aggravating Evidence: A Moral Foundations Approach. He serves as the principal investigator to better understand morality's role in mock juror sentencing decisions in death penalty cases. For this project, Yelderman is teaming up with Jamie Hughes, Ph.D., a social psychologist and professor at the University of Texas, Permian Basin. The purpose of this project is to systematically examine the relationships between mock jurors' morality, the moral value of trial evidence, and death penalty sentencing decisions. He aims to replicate past findings in the literature and contribute to the development and extension of current and novel legal decision-making theory through a series of controlled experiments. He expects that his findings will benefit researchers and attorneys who try capital cases and policymakers and legislators who work with legal decisionmaking or death penalty policies.

One of Yelderman’s goals in this work is to enhance the university's research reputation and advance the university's aims and goals under the recent Carnegie Research 2 classification. Yelderman hopes to accomplish this by increasing the number of externally funded research projects and contributing rigorous research to the broader scientific literature and intellectual endeavor.

HEALTH DISPARITIES | DISTRESS AND TRAUMA Temilola Salami, Ph.D. is the director of The Health and Resilience Initiative for Vulnerable and Excluded Groups (weTHRIVE) lab. The weTHRIVE lab aims to bridge the health disparities gap and decrease adverse health outcomes associated with psychological distress and trauma. Dr. Salami's research interests focus on understanding how traumatic life events, culture, cognition, and interpersonal factors interact in the development of psychopathology. Her interests led her to pursue a career in clinical psychology, where she has worked with underserved, underrepresented, and high-risk populations both clinically and through her research.

Salami's work is predominantly with racial and ethnically diverse populations, particularly African American populations.

However, her research also focuses on other marginalized and high-risk people such as immigrant populations, first responders, and victims of human trafficking.

While excellence in teaching remains a fundamental quality of PVAMU, the new Research 2 (R2) designation indicates that research is also a priority for the institution. In the Summer of 2021, as a prospective faculty member, Salami was drawn to President Ruth Simmons' vision of moving PVAMU to an R2 classification. Stating, "She very purposefully strategized with faculty and staff about what needed to be done and executed her vision."

Yelderman will use the current funding to train and mentor graduate students at minority-serving institutions in psychological science, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to conduct their research projects and help recruit more students in the future.

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“..To be counted among the elite institutions of higher learning in terms of research productivity is a dream come true."

-Munir Quddos, Ph.D. | Dean

Business DISASTER MANAGEMENT THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA Associate Professor in Management Information

search team engages with local organizations and

Systems Louis Ngamassi, Ph.D.'s current signif-

communities around the Greater Houston area to

icant research project is entitled “An Interdiscipli-

collaborate in designing and developing tools that

nary Skills Development Project for Improved Dis-

can be used in times of disaster. Moreover, his work

aster Management through Innovative Social Media

has provided additional visibility to Prairie View A&M

Analytics.” The Department of Homeland Security

University; this includes his being a Faculty Affili-

(DHS) awarded the five-year project a $1 million-dol-

ate of the Hazard Reduction and Recovery Center at

lar grant (2017-2022). The goal is to broaden the

Texas A&M University, College Station, TX.

participation of minority students in the information society by providing them with a set of new innovative skills and by engaging them in exploring the use of information and telecommunication technology—including social media analytics—in information-producing and sharing for disaster management and relief. He seeks to understand how computer information systems can be better designed, developed, deployed, and used for humanitarian disaster management and relief.

The College of Business associate professor believes his body of research benefits PVAMU and the surrounding communalities in several ways. It contributes to fostering and strengthening multidisciplinary research at Prairie View A&M spanning the Social Sciences, Humanities, and Engineering. Secondly, given that the Houston area is prone to natural disasters such as floods and storms, his re-

14 //

Ngamassi is an active writer of research grant proposals. So far, his colleagues and him have won approximately $2,000,000 in research and curricular development grants. Ngamassi collaborates with colleagues at Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) and several other institutions across the nation (e.g., Penn State, Purdue University, and Stanford University). To date, his research activities have yielded

stance, PVAMU will benefit from more prestige, and

more than forty publications, including 17 peer-re-

it will be easier to attract more students, highly qual-

view journal papers, 19 conference papers, and five

ified faculty/researchers, and secure more grant

book chapters.

money. He believes being at R2 gives PVAMU ad-

The high-level research activity Ngamassi is undertaking aligns with his commitment to elevating the research level at PVAMU, which aligns with the university’s new Carnegie Classification as an R2 Institution. Ngamassi expects the new Carnegie status will have several significant positive impacts. For in-

ditional leverage to negotiate and get industry partnerships.

RESEARCH & INNOVATION \\ 2022 REVIEW MAGAZINE

#OnTheRise >>>

Carnegie Classification R2

Research Activites College of Business Associate Professor Louis Ngamassi, Ph.D.’s ongoing research activities focus on two interrelated streams of research.

1 2

The Impact of information and communication technology (ICT) and social network on collaboration and coordination among humanitarian organizations (ICT and social network stream) icupiena, quit videm inatus, tilintem dum

The Adoption and use of social media analytics for disaster and crisis management (social media stream)

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PRODUCING SOME OF THE NATION’S MOST DISTINGUISHED TEACHERS, COUNSELORS, PRINCIPALS,

education

F

RACE EQUITY IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

or Katina Thomas, Ph.D., her current project, "Race Equity in Early Childhood Education," is a research collaboration with the nonprofit organization Children at Risk. Funded by the Kellogg Foundation, the assistant professor of literacy education in the College of Education is investigating the differences in educational resource availability between white and non-white children enrolled in childcare centers and the differences in pro-

fessional opportunities between people of color (POC) and white employees.Thomas believes attention needs to be focused on the causes of issues within the early childhood system that threatens our youngest learners' educational foundation during their first five years of life. Doing so, Thomas maintains, will be especially beneficial to young learners of color who are commonly reported as demonstrating academic performance gaps as they matriculate through the K-12 education system. Discovering the early factors that lead to academic struggles for children of color can assist in the establishment of practices that strengthen their learning foundation and ultimately prevent the occurrence of performance gaps throughout their educational journey.

Thomas believes the Carnegie R2 recognition is a notice to the world that PVAMU acknowledges the need for equity and opportunity, and she and fellow researchers are actively using our platform to make this happen. She considers robust research that offers a voice to the underrepresented sets the stage for change.

16 //

U

DIAGNOSTICIANS

RESEARCH & INNOVATION \\ 2022 REVIEW MAGAZINE

U

EDUCATION

>>>

STICIANS AND SUPERINTENDENTS. nderstanding the im-

(TPHA), Research Association of Minority Profes-

pact of COVID-19 on

sors (RAMP), and the Annual HBCU Faculty Develop-

higher education in Tex-

ment Network Conference.

as is very beneficial to

McDonald is a graduate of PVAMU and a predomi-

colleges, university ad-

nately white institution (PWI) classified as a Carneg-

ministrators, and the

ie R1. When she compares her learning and research

students who are help-

experiences, as a Carnegie Research 2 (R2) institu-

ing to conduct the re-

tion PVAMU is providing an excellent opportunity for

search. The findings from the Measuring Impacts

students, faculty, and PVAMU overall. McDonald has

of COVID-19 in Higher Education Sector (MIC HES

published manuscripts in journals and attended in-

Project) were presented at the Houston Commu-

ternational, national, and local conferences. She is

nity College and San Jacinto College faculty work-

confident that the current research will result in mul-

shop in Houston, Texas. McDonald also presented

tiple publications and opportunities to expand her

the findings at the Texas Public Health Association

professional network.

"COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on College Students Mental Health" ------ ANDRE A MCDONALD, PH.D. ------

Carnegie R2 Impact “…R2 Carnegie Classification is a significant accomplishment. It signifies the University’s commitment to doctoral training/production and dedication to conducting relevant, innovative research..”

Michael L. McFrazier, Ed.D. | Dean

College Students Mental Health The students who

worked on this project gained qualitative research experiences such as conducting semi-structured interviews, analyzing qualitative data using different approaches, abstract and manuscript writing, and presentation skills. The students presented at the 2021 PVAMU Research & Innovation Week and RAMP Conferences. In 2022 one of McDonald's mentees, Imani Hurrington, was invited by TPHA to give an oral presentation on "COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on College Students Mental Health."

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2022 REVIEW MAGAZINE // RESEARCH & INNOVATION

Engineering QUALITY CONTROL IN ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING Mechanical Engineering Associate Professor Rambod Rayegan Ph.D.'s primary research focus is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) consortium supported by the Minority-Serving Institution Partnership Program (MSIPP).

The goal of the Consortium enabling Inand Ex-Situ-Quality Control of Additive Manufacturing (QCAM) is to establish a sustainable pipeline of under-represented students in the STEM field from Minority Serving Institutes (MSI). Students participants will have advanced knowledge and experience and be prepared to serve the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Agency (NNSA) National Labs and Plants.

QCAM focuses primarily on minority students in STEM fields. Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) has teamed up with New Mexico State University and Navajo Technical University for this unique pro-

ject. Each of the universities is an MSI serving a different category.

As a collaborator in this $3M project, the PVAMU team, led by Rayegan, has $715k to conduct the activities. The project has education, research and outreach components.

To accomplish its goals, the QCAM Consortium is supported by Oakridge National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and the National Nuclear Security Administration Kansas City National Security Campus. The national laboratories are key collaborators and will work with QCAM academic leaders to develop research projects, internships, and senior design projects for students to gainhands-on experience.

Yuhao Xu, Ph.D.

Renewable Liquid Fuels

T

he continuous consumption of petroleum-based liquid fuels has raised pervasive concerns, including the gradual depletion of petroleum resources and the influence of emissions produced during com-

bustion on the atmosphere and global climate change.

As such, Mechanical Engineering Assistant Professor Yuhao Xu, Ph.D.’s research projects aim to examine the combustion of renewable liquid fuels derived from bio-feedstocks, evaluate their burning characteristics in the context of currently used practical transportation fuels, and quantify their particulate emissions during combustion. Xu says the results obtained will advance the understanding of how bio-derived fuels combust in the context of petroleum-based liquid fuels.

Experimental combustion data collected will also be a valuable database for the research community for developing, validating, and optimizing numerical models.

These efforts will significantly benefit society by guiding the development of improved fuel efficiency and providing insights into reducing harmful emissions, and thus offering solutions to climate change. Dr. Xu’s research is currently funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

With PVAMU’s recognition as a Carnegie R2 institution Xu states this classification will further promote research activities by attracting top students to conduct research at the university. He is confident faculty will also be more motivated to expand their research programs and attract more external funding to support their research.

18 //

RESEARCH & INNOVATION \\ 2022 REVIEW MAGAZINE

Dean of engineering

>>>

Carnegie Classification R2 institution

BIG DATA SCIENCE AND DEEP LEARNING The Center of Excellence in Research and Edu-

Engineering and Computer Science, research

cation for big military Data InTelligence (CRED-

scientists and postdocs, and many graduate

IT), which the US Department of Defense (DoD)

and undergraduate research assistants. The

funds, is the most significant research project

core facilities feature the Deep Learning Lab

for Endowed Professor and TAMU Regents

with large Dell storage servers, state-of-the-art

Professor Lijun Qian, Ph.D.

NVIDIA DGX-1 systems, and multiple NVIDIA

The Center's mission is to accelerate research and education in predictive analytics for sci-

“..This designation will allow us to acquire a wide breadth of resources to facilitate scholarly activities and recruit top faculty and students..”

------ PAMELA OBIOMON, PH.D. | DEAN ------

Center for Energy & Environmental Sustainability (CEES)

V100/A100 Workstations specifically designed for deep learning.

Raghava R. Kommalapati, Ph.D., the center director and Honeywell endowed professor and his team,

ence and engineering to transform our abili-

Qian led the Center to earn multiple awards for

ty to effectively address and solve many com-

solving many challenging problems in big data

plex problems posed by big data. The Center

analytics and artificial intelligence, such as

five years for Phase II of CEES. These funds have allowed

brings together sensing, perception, and deci-

winning the AI Tracks at Sea Challenge organ-

the continued production of cutting-edge research that is

sion support for mission-critical applications

ized by the US Navy in 2021 and the 2016 IEEE

of the DoD.

Big Data Analytics Competition organized by

including

Hongbo Du, Ph.D., a research scientist,

have earned more than $1.7M in addition to the $5M over

both impactful and innovative.

the IEEE Big Data Initiative.

Kommalapati's most significant research project is the

government agencies, and businesses. Col-

CREDIT is leading in curriculum development

Forward Osmosis Membrane for Produced Water pro-

laboratively, they focus on research data anal-

in big data science and deep learning, such as

ject, funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF).

ysis and educating and training students to

the new Graduate Certificate in Deep Learning

This project aims to develop a novel method for treating

become data scientists and engineers in the

for AI recently approved by the THECB. It is im-

future data-centric economy and contribute to

perative to enhance the current capability fur-

critical areas of the nation.

ther so that Prairie View A&M University could

The Center builds partnerships with DoD labs,

The CREDIT center provides significant research capabilities at PVAMU in artificial intelligence (AI) and data science, especially in

stay at the forefront of the AI and data science revolution and lead the AI and data science education.

deep learning and big data analytics. CREDIT center has a multidisciplinary team of faculty researchers from Electrical and Computer

Excellence in Research (EiR): A Novel High Throughput

shale gas and oil-produced water (PW) that employs a high throughput forward osmosis (FO) membrane with significantly improved antifouling and reverse draw solute repelling properties.

Kommalapati tests the water produced from the final reverse osmosis (RO) process compared to environmental disposal standards. The repelling and antifouling mechanisms are then elucidated through molecular dynamics simulations. Kommalapati uses a life cycle assessment approach to evaluate the economic and environmental impacts of the hybrid FO-RO process for shale gas and oil PW treatment.

Prairie View A&M University could stay at the forefront of the AI and data science revolution and lead the AI and data science education.

LIJUN QIAN, PH.D. | REGENTS PROFESSOR

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2022 REVIEW MAGAZINE // RESEARCH & INNOVATION

Juvenile Justice

>>> >>>

“…We expect to see an increase in graduate students, more timely doctoral degree completions, more external funding…”

-camille gibson, ph.d. | interim dean

SEXUAL MISCONDUCT OF TEACHERS In recent years, the sexual misconduct of teachers against their students appears to be on the rise and has received significant media attention. This phenomenon is of interest to Assistant Professor Kristan Russell, Ph.D., who is conducting research examining this topic with colleagues from the University of Nevada, Reno, and with the help of her undergraduate research assistants Precious Jones, Alexis Sparks, and Jada Turner.

As for the recent classification of Prairie View A&M University to a Carnegie R2 institution, the College of Juvenile Justice faculty member believes it will help open doors for PVAMU faculty and student researchers to collaborate with experts outside of their organization, to have better access to the tools and funding they need to successfully conduct research, and will provide a stronger platform for sharing their findings beyond PVAMU.

firs

>>> Research Areas 1 20 //

Examine the policies

Examine perceptions

Guiding teacher-student relationships and explore often-cited areas where boundaries are crossed (e.g., adding students on social media). By better understanding contributors to boundary-crossing and the initiation of educator sexual misconduct, they will make recommendations to school districts regarding policy reform. They can help them to improve their strategies for identifying this type of misconduct.

Examine perceptions of educator sexual misconduct cases. The goal is to better understand how perceptions are affected by factors such as age, gender, sex-pairing, and the appearance of the teacher who engaged in sexual misconduct. Russell believes the perceptions surrounding such cases are important as they may impact reporting, disclosure, and even legal outcomes (e.g., sentencing). By better understanding perceptions, her research team can inform and improve reporting practices.

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RESEARCH & INNOVATUION \\ 2022 REVIEW MAGAZINE

>>>

Nursing >>>>>>>>>>>>>

“…This opens doors for the university and allows us to garner resources to support our research endeavors…”

>>>

Michelle DeBose, Ph.D., assistant professor of graduate studies in the College of Nursing is exploring barriers to medication adherence via photovoice. She will pilot the project with inner-city clinic clients. DeBose expects to gain information on the most effective way to increase Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) medication adherence using visual data and social media platforms. PrEP is a medicine prescribed to persons at risk for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

DeBose believes that with increased messaging through photographs and popular social media platforms, she can predict an increase in medication adherence related to the use of PrEP among Black and Latinx clients.

>>>

100th Anniversary of first nursing graduates

Dr. Allyssa l. harris | Dean

Medication adherence promotes the health of people living with chronic diseases, such as HIV, and prevents HIV transmission. In her study, DeBose will provide client-centered health promotion interventions that are easy to understand.

Along with encouraging increased communication with providers all methods that can impact the fight to decrease HIV.

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