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L i n k i n g S o u t h D a kota ’ s F u t u r ewithScience & TechnologySD EPSCoRU P DAT ESOUTH DAKOTA ESTABLISHED PROGRAM TO STIMULATE COMPETITIVE RESEARCHQUARTERLY NEWSLETTERWINTER 2019A Look At the SD EPSCoRREACH Committee2019 South DakotaScience Fair ScheduleResearcher Spotlight:Paul Gaillardw w w . sd e p s c o r . o r g
In This Issue3SD EPSCoR REACH Committee4REACH Roster/About theFederal EPSCoR Program5South Dakota Science Fairs 2019 Schedule7SD EPSCoR Student Spotlight:Paul Gaillard8SD EPSCoR Awards STEMDiversity Grants9National EPSCoR News10South Dakota School DistrictsReceive Career & TechnicalEducation Grants11DSU Cyber Training Center forCybersecurity Summer 201912New High-PerformanceComputing Cluster ThrillsResearcherSD EPSCoR Office2301 Research Park Way, Suite 157Brookings, SD 57006605.688.6245DirectorDr. Mel Ustadmel.ustad@sdstate.eduProject AdministratorElizabeth Martinsonelizabeth.martinson@sdstate.eduEducation Outreach SpecialistDr. Rhea tions OfficerNick Eppardnick.eppard@sdstate.edu
SD EPSCoR REACH CommitteeThe South Dakota Research, Excellence: A Critical Hallmark (REACH) Committee was formed toserve as a liaison organization between South Dakota institutions of higher education, the NationalScience Foundation and other federal organizations, private science and/or engineering researchorganizations, state government and industrial and commercial interests.The REACH Committee also provides an independent and unbiased coordination of the SD EPSCoRinitiatives: Seek funding and assess the requirements for improved academic research initiatives supportedby the Committee, Formulate programs and procedures to stimulate and maintain a sustained, viable researchinfrastructure in the state of South Dakota emphasizing its impact on economic development, Serve as an educational resource for the general populace concerning scientific research and itseconomic value, Seek to achieve competitive research in science, math, engineering, and technology transferincluding the encouragement of increased entrance into such fields by the state’s youth, and Serve as a catalyst to stimulate the collaboration between the federal government, stategovernment, and industry dedicated to scientific research and infrastructure development withinthe state.Executive Members:REACH Committee ChairEddie SullivanPresident/CEO, SAB Biotherapeutics, Inc.Executive Committee ChairBrad WheelerPresident, Wheeler ManufacturingPaul BatchellerPrairieGold Venture PartnersLiza ClarkCommissionerSD Bureau of Finance and ManagementJaret HeiseSD Science & Tech AuthorityDavid LinkRetiredJim MorganSD Board of RegentsPaul BeranExecutive Director, SD Board of RegentsSteve WestraCommissioner, SD Governor’s Office ofEconomic Development
Other Members:Shon AndersonCEO, B9 CreationsMarcia HendricksonCEO, MitogeneticsGary ArchamboultProgram Director, SD SBIRTom Jackson, Jr.President, Black Hills State UniversityGreg BertschPresident, Antimicrobial Materials, Inc.Donald KirkegaardSecretary, SD Department of EducationShawn BordeauxDirector, Institute of Tribal LandsSinte Gleska UniversityScott MorganSisseton Wahpeton CollegeTimothy DownsPresident, Northern State UniversityBarry DunnPresident, South Dakota State UniversitySheila GestringPresident, University of South DakotaJosé-Marie GriffithsPresident, Dakota State UniversityDarren HaarBlack Hills Angel FundKenna HaganBlack Hills CorporationMike HeadleyExecutive Director,SD Science & Technology AuthorityRoger MusickCEO, Innovative Systems LLCCarol RaeCEO, ImmutrixJim RankinPresident, SD School of Mines & TechnologyRaad A. SalehUSGS Center for Earth ResourcesObservation & ScienceMatt SmartCEO, Smart Software SolutionsStephen R. StatzSenior Vice President, Avera HealthLeo Van SambeekRESPEC
Ex-Officio MembersThomas WorsleyVice President, Regional HealthMary T. BerryVice President for Research,University of South DakotaEd DukeDirector, SD NASA EPSCoRCharles LambChief Research Officer,Black Hills State UniversityJoelle LienAssociate Vice President for AcademicAffairs, Northern State UniversityNathan LukkesAssistant Vice President for Research& Economic Dev., SD Board of RegentsThe National Science Foundation created theEstablished (formerly Experimental) Programto Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR)in 1979 because Congress was troubled by theuneven distribution of federal research anddevelopment grants. After World War II, federallyfunded academic research grew dramatically,but national science policy, at the time, tended tofunnel resources to a small number states withcenters of excellence. This status quo ignoredthe dramatic growth in regional educational andresearch institutions. In every state, talented youngpeople aspired to careers in science, technology,engineering and mathematics, but the nation wasn’tprofiting fully from the wealth of ingenuity and skillembedded across the country. EPSCoR provided asolution.EPSCoR is now a federal-wide initiative spanning fiveagencies. Through EPSCoR, participating states andterritories are building a high-quality, universitybased research infrastructure, which serves asa backbone to their scientific and technologicalenterprises as well as a strong and stableeconomic base. Today, the EPSCoR programs areaccelerating science and technology for U.S. globalcompetitiveness, prosperity and security.Josh PauliVice President for Research & EconomicDevelopment, Dakota State UniversityJan A. PuszynskiVice President for Research,SD School of Mines& TechnologyDaniel SchollVice President for Research,South Dakota State UniversityMel UstadDirector, SD EPSCoR4
RESEARCH & EDUCATIONTITLE TITLE TITLE TITLE2019 South DakotaScienceFairsRajesh Shende, Ph.D., associate professor in the chemical and biological engineering departmentat the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology has received a 2.16 million grant from theDepartment of Energy’s Bioenergy Technologies Office to research and demonstrate cost-effectiveways to turn waste from biorefineries, such as ethanol plants, into valuable products.“The Integrated Biorefinery Optimization effort is a prime example of how the Department of Energycan leverage its resources to help solve real-world issues facing biorefineries,” said U.S. Secretary ofEnergy Rick Perry.Shende’s research will focus on finding efficient ways to turn waste generated by ethanol plants andother biorefineries into useful products. Commodities such as biocarbon, carbon nanofibers, lacticacid, and phenol can be made from waste generated by facilities that that process corn and otherplant material. This waste is normally thrown-away—but finding cost effective means of turning itinto new products will generate extra revenue for ethanol plants and other biorefineries and helplower fuel costs from these facilities.Shende’s research will focus on three objectives: to demonstrate how the process of converting wasteinto value added products could integrate into current facilities, estimate the final product yields andrevenue that could be generated based on current market value, examine the environmental andeconomic impact of the processes.Partnering institutions on this project include: Old Dominion University (ODU), VirginiaCommonwealth University (VCU), Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and Southwest Research Institute(SwRI). This research also includes co-principal investigators: Hao Fong (SD Mines), Sandeep Kumar(ODU), Ram Gupta (VCU), and Tyler Westover (INL).For more information about the DOE’s Bioenergy Technologies Office click here. To learn more aboutSDDOE’sEPSCoRis strengtheningits workwith EfficiencySTEM educationin K-12 classroomsSouth Dakota’sprogramsunder the Officeof Energyand RenewableEnergy click inhere.schools by establishing a network among the state’s four regional science fairs and SouthDakota Junior Academy of Science (SDJAS). The infrastructure investments that have been madecontribute to hands-on, inquiry-based problem-solving research experiences for students andprovide them with an opportunity to apply what they’ve learned.A science fair research project is a cornerstone activity that helps students understand andapply the scientific method, develop their problem-solving skills, and serve as the basis forexploring STEM careers.The goals of expanding the participation of South Dakota’s schools and their students in thestate science fair program are to ensure there will be a strong STEM workforce. Science fairsbuild a pathway to STEM careers for South Dakota’s future leaders.5
SDEPSCoR.Org/ScienceFair Eastern SD Science and Engineering FairBrookings, SD March 19, 2019 High Plains Regional Science and Engineering FairRapid City, SD April 9, 2019 Northern SD Science and Mathematics FairAberdeen, SD March 28, 2019 South Central SD Science & Engineering FairMitchell, SD March 19, 20196
RESEARCH & EDUCATIONStudent Spotlight:Paul GaillardPaul Gaillard is a South Dakota StateUniversity (SDSU) Ph.D. Candidatein the Department of Agronomy,Horticulture and Plant Science. Hegrew up on a farm and used to spend asmuch time as possible outside foragingfor food, so he naturally decided tostudy biology as an undergraduatestudent. It was then that he discoveredthe symbiosis between plants andbacteria, which led to him spendingseveral years researching the topic.After receiving his master’s degreein France, Gaillard made the voyageto South Dakota when he receiveda position in Senthil Subramanian’slaboratory at SDSU. Currently, thegroup’s research addresses one of thebiggest challenges in agriculture today:ensuring food safety in an ecofriendlyway.One thing about research Gaillard loves is microscopy,and being able to display groundbreaking discoveriesin artistic ways. The main approach the SubramanianLab used to characterize nodule development wasthrough a multi-photon microscope that was funded bySD EPSCoR.“My work highly depends on EPSCoR and I am gratefulfor the support.”“Fertilizer usage provides nutrients tothe plant such as nitrogen, but it is alsosource of pollution,” explained Gaillard.The research looks at the interactionbetween legumes such as soybeanswith soil bacteria called rhizobium. Inparticular, plants provide sugar and ahome called a “nodule” to the bacteria,and in exchange the plant receivesnitrogen.The group is focusing on noduledevelopment in hopes of growing plantsthat have more efficient nodules thatrequire less chemical fertilizer. Learnmore about the Subramanian Lab here.7Image of an Arabidopsis leaf taken by Paul Gaillard.The BioSNTR team developed methods to monitorthe activities of two major plant hormones, auxinand cytokinin by imaging fluorescent proteinmarkers (red and magenta dots).
South Dakota Organizations Receive STEM Diversity GrantsThis past Noevember SD EPScoR announcedrecipients of their STEM Diversity Grants.Applications were submitted by schooldistricts, post-secondary institutions,educational service providers, non-profitorganizations and other entities supportingSTEM education and outreach activities inSouth Dakota.A key component of the EPSCoR projectis to increase the number of individualsfrom underrepresented groups engaged inSTEM activities. In addition to increasingthe number of students involved in STEM,the grants are designed to increase studentawareness, knowledge and skills throughparticipation in science fairs and otherBy Jaciactivities exposing participants to a rangeConradof STEM careers available in South Dakota.This year’s recipients include: Augustana University – Gama Zeta Black Hills State University – Women in Science Conference Dakota Wesleyan University – Science Fair Lake Area Technical Institute – Women in Science Conference Oglala Lakota College South Dakota Code Camp South Dakota Discovery Center South Dakota Future Farmers of America (FFA) Foundation South Dakota School of Mines & Technology – Science Fair South Dakota State University Biology Todd County School District – Science Fair White River School District – Science Fair“The awards assist in developing meaningful partnerships between state government, K-12,higher education and the private sector to strengthen STEM education for diverse audiences,”said Mel Ustad, SD EPSCoR Director. “Utilizing statewide initiatives to improve instruction forunderrepresented groups and those in remote regions will help us diversify South Dakota’sSTEM workforce.”8
RESEARCHNSF EPSCoR Regional Outreach: All About Research Center ProgramsThe NSF EPSCoR Regional Outreach: All AboutResearch Center Programs (AARCP) meetingwill be held on Tuesday, April 2, 2019, at theRenaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel inMobile, Alabama.This event will be attended by up to five NSFCenter Program Officers and two to threeCenter Directors who will provide extensiveinformation about the various Centerssponsored by the NSF. The event will alsofeature breakout sessions where attendees canask questions about Centers and speak withthe attending Program Officers and CenterDirectors.RegistrationThe registration fee is 75 and covers participation in the meeting, reception on April 1, andcontinental breakfast and coffee breaks on April 2. To register for the AARCP Meeting, click here.NSF RII Track 4: EPSCoR Research FellowsNSF’s Research Infrastructure Improvement (RII) Track-4 provides opportunities for non-tenuredinvestigators to further develop their individual research potential through extended collaborative visitsto the nation’s premier private, governmental, or academic research centers. During these visits, theEPSCoR Research Fellows will be able to learn new techniques, develop new collaborations or advanceexisting partnerships, benefit from access to unique equipment and facilities, and/or shift their researchtoward potentially transformative new directions. The experiences gained through the fellowships areintended to have lasting impacts that will enhance the Fellows’ research trajectories well beyond theaward period.These benefits to the Fellows are also expected to in turn improve the research capacity of theirinstitutions and jurisdictions more broadly. Those submitting proposals must either hold a non-tenuredfaculty appointment at an institution of higher education or an early-career career-track appointment atan eligible non-degree-granting institution.Only three RII Track-4 proposals may be submitted in response to this solicitation by any singleorganization in a RII-eligible jurisdiction. If more than three proposals are received from any singleinstitution for the RII Track-4 competition, all proposals from that institution are subject to returnwithout review. Please contact the SD EPSCoR Office or your institution’s office of sponsored researchfor more information.9Current Closing Date for Applications: March 12, 2019
South Dakota School Districts Receive Career & TechnicalEducation GrantsSouth Dakota EPSCoR and theSouth Dakota Department ofEducation recently announcedrecipients of their Career &Technical Education (CTE)Grants.The grants are designed toassist educators looking tocreate, improve and innovateon programs that allowstudents to explore STEMdisciplines for studentsin grades 7-12. This year’srecipients include: Deubrook School DistrictEdmunds Central School DistrictLead-Deadwood School DistrictMadison School DistrictTea Area School DistrictWilmot School District“Students that are exposed to STEMdisciplines through these grants willhelp South Dakota as we look to expandeconomic opportunity by creatingjobs through improved education andtechnology,” said Mel Ustad, SD EPSCoRDirector.Often times when individuals thinkabout STEM, they think of scientistsand engineers which is right on target.However, what doesn’t come to mind are the numerous high-wage, high-skilled, high-demandcareers for which CTE is preparing students. CTE serves as a fantastic catalyst for STEMeducation.SD EPSCoR and the SD Department of Education solicited proposals for the program fromschools with the overall goal of increasing high school graduates skilled in STEM, with focuson informatics and biosciences. Criteria prioritized awareness of STEM careers in the state,partnerships with business and industry, diversity, and cooperation with postsecondaryeducation. Approximately 170,000 was awarded through the program.10
RESEARCH & EDUCATIONDSU Cyber Training Center for Cybersecurity Summer 2019The gap between necessarycybersecurity skills and the demandsplaced on cybersecurity professionals isnot only a challenge for the informationtechnology industry, but also achallenge for the scientific researchenterprise of the nation. The NorthCentral Region (NCR) Cyber TrainingCenter (CTC) for cybersecurity atDakota State University was created andfunded through the National ScienceFoundation. The goal of CTC is tocreate a scalable online cyber trainingprogram to assist with the developmentof scientific cyberinfrastructureprofessionals in cybersecurity. TheCTC includes three programs, i.e., CyberTrainingStudents, CyberTraining Faculty, andCyberTraining Professionals.Important Dates Application deadline: April 1, 2019The CyberTraining Faculty program is offered Notification of acceptance: April 8, 2019to post-docs, research scientists, and faculty Summer program: May 13 - August 2, 2019researchers and educators from 2-year and 4-yearcolleges in the North Central Region. The programwill offer online summer courses to help facultydevelop expertise in cybersecurity. The program also includes funds to help participating faculty hostcybersecurity workshops on their campuses and develop new courses in cybersecurity. These summercourses are free to all faculty participants! They are now accepting applications for the summer 2019program. Click here for more information.The SD EPSCoR Digest is our biweekly e-bulletin to provide you with vital and timely newsand information. Subscribe for grant announcements, event listings, organizational impacts,research information, STEM Ed opportunities and more!The Digest is distributed via the organizational listserv and archived online.11
New High-Performance Computing Cluster Thrills ResearcherWhen Xijin Ge learned South Dakota State University was not only goingto add a high-performance computing cluster and a 100-gigabyte internetconnection, he was excited.“I was like a kid in a candy store, just so excited about the speed in whichI was going to be able to download and analyze genomic data,” said Ge,an associate professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.As a bioinformatician, he develops and uses computational tools to minepublic data to investigate complex biological processes, such as whatXijin Gecauses cells to divide at the beginning of life. “After downloading andanalyzing more than 2,000 large data sets in a couple of days, I have enoughresults to start writing a paper. Without the new cluster, it would have taken months.”Mike Adelaine, the university’s vice president of technology and security, said the new clusteris like having 3,000 high-performing desktop computers working in unison. He added the newinternet connection is similar to comparing the autobahn to a county highway.The university previously had only a 10-gig internet connection. South Dakota State is the firstuniversity in the regental system to have the 100-gigabyte speed. According to Dave Hansen,director of information technology for the South Dakota Board of Regents Information Systems,Dakota State University, the University Center in Sioux Falls and the University of South Dakotawill also be on the 100-gigabyte connection. Plans are to also have a redundant 100-gigabyteconnection.“The R1 research institutions will now look at us as partners because of the 100-gigconnection,” Adelaine said, referring to the 130 institutions classifiedby the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Educationfor having the highest research activity. “Our researchers work withcolleagues all over the world and that will grow as we have someunique datasets that other people will be interested in. We’re nowseeing the building of centers of huge data. Our researchers will eitherprovide data to or get data from those repositories. You have to thecapacity to move that data and do in a reasonable amount of time. Wecan now do that.”Hansen said the National Science Foundation and research-focusedentities took to work with entities that have the 100-gigabyte internetconnection.Ge looks forward to what’s next in research at South Dakota State.“With a drastically improved infrastructure, plus fantastic support team led by Kevin Brandt,you start to think big about what’s possible,” Ge continued, “There is a massive amount ofgenomic data available online. If you have a good question, there are a lot of opportunities now.I’m optimistic about what we can do with this almost unlimited resource.”12
THANKS FOR READING! Visit our website for timely news, information and announcements, andsubscribe to our listserv for internal SD EPSCoR correspondence. Click here to view full listings on our events calendar. Click here to submitan event. Make sure to bookmark our weekly grant announcement archives and checkevery Tuesday morning for new announcements.Connect With Us orinstagram.com/sdepscorThis material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation/EPSCoR Grant Number IIA-1355423and by the State of South Dakota. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in thismaterial are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
DSU Cyber Training Center for Cybersecurity Summer 2019 11. The South Dakota Research, Excellence: A Critical Hallmark (REACH) Committee was formed to . prosperity and security. Mary T. Berry Vice President for Research, University of South Dakota . Old Dominion University (ODU), Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), Idaho National .
