Congratulations to Dr. George Barnes, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry,who  has received a three-year, $282,383 grant from the National Science Foundation in support of his research on how peptide molecules fall apart or stick to surfaces following high energy collisions in the gas phase. The research will actively involve Siena students who will gain experience in both theoretical and experimental methods and have the opportunity to present their results at several national venues. The grant also supports a workshop that will help high-school teachers incorporate both computational science and chemistry into their classrooms.

Dr. John Moustakas, associate professor of physics and astronomy, has received an one-year, $81,474 award from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to support commissioning and survey validation activities for the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) survey. Between 2020 and 2024, DESI will measure precise distances to more than 35 million distant galaxies, which will result in the most detailed three-dimensional map of the universe ever made and yield new insights into the mysterious nature of dark energy. 

Dr. Katherine Meierdiercks, associate professor of environmental studies and environmental science, was awarded a one-year, $9,078 grant from Cornell University's New York State Water Resources Institute. The award supports her project, "Road Salt Delivery Mechanisms and Water Quality Impacts in the Hudson River Watershed."

Dr. Mary Beth Kolozsvary, associate professor of environmental studies and environmental science, received a $9,320 grant from Capital Mohawk PRISM for continuing research with students to identify key natural areas of interest to survey for invasive plant species, record them in iMapInvasives, and recommend priority conservation actions.