Fisk University Earns Two Department of Defense Grants For Physics and Chemistry Research

 Fisk University has been chosen to receive two grants from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) and the Department of Defense to further its research in the areas of infrared materials and carbon nanotube growth in the chemical vapor deposition process.The research will benefit the development of light sources used to protect planes by blinding missile sensors. The estimated total of Fisk’s awards is $1.4 million and will be allocated to Fisk’s departments of physics and chemistry.

Fisk’s principle investigator for the physics grant is Dr. Arnold Burger. Dr. Weijie Lu, professor of chemistry, serves as principle investigator for the chemistry grant. Co-investigators for the proposals were physics professor Dr. Steven Morgan and Dr. Eugene Collins, chair of the division of natural sciences at Fisk University. The funding will cover full tuition for four undergraduate students over three years, tuition assistance and a stipend for four graduate students over three years, equipment purchases and research.  

“The funding allows us another opportunity for our students to gain valuable research experience and have the use of cutting-edge equipment to improve the University’s scientific and educational contributions,” Burger said.  

“We are very excited about the impact that this award will have on attracting more students to Fisk who have interests in studying science and technology,” Lu said.  

Out of an applicant pool of seventy three schools, Fisk was among the twenty one institutions to receive recommendations for funding. Of the institutions that are scheduled to receive the award, four schools including Fisk received approval for more than one proposal.Students that are chosen to receive the scholarships at Fisk will be freshmen or sophomores majoring in chemistry or physics and must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. The students will be chosen and the funds will be available beginning in fall 2008. 

Founded in 1866, Fisk University is Nashville’s first university. Fisk University produces more African Americans who go on to earn doctoral degrees in the natural sciences than any college or university in the nation.