Public Abstract

DE-SC0025740: Diversifying Education and Adding Research Capacity for Nuclear Science at Morgan State University

Award Status: Active

Institution: Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD
UEI: KULSKCCZJT27
DUNS: 879941318

Most Recent Award Date: 04/07/2025
Number of Support Periods: 1
PM: Bryson, Tasia

Current Budget Period: 01/01/2025 - 12/31/2025
Current Project Period: 01/01/2025 - 12/31/2027
PI: Nelson, Stacyann

Supplement Budget Period: N/A

Public Abstract

Diversifying Education and Adding Research Capacity for Nuclear Science at Morgan State University S. Nelson, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD, 21251 (Principal Investigator) C. Santamaria, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD, 21251 (Co-Investigator) W. Rockward, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD, 21251 (Co-Investigator) M. Chiu, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY, 11973 (Co-Investigator) This project at Morgan State University (MSU), a R2 Historically Black College/University (HBCU) aims to provide research training, mentorship, and education in experimental nuclear science, specifically in heavy ion physics to undergraduate and graduate students. Emphasis is placed on training in high performance computing, simulations of nuclear effects, detector design, data science, technical writing, communication skills, and teamwork. This initiative aims to increase diversity within the future nuclear workforce by equipping MSU students with the necessary tools, skillsets and experiences to thrive in these demanding fields. This project strengthens the research infrastructure for MSU faculty and students by supporting four key objectives aligned with the DOE-RENEW mandate for workforce development. 1) A partnership with the Brookhaven National Laboratory, a National Laboratory of the Department of Energy, will enable sustained undergraduate and graduate student research and training through research-focused collaborations centered on detector development and detector design. 2) Financial support will expand the principal investigators’ current research, enabling them to expand their research, teaching capabilities, and student training effectively. 3) Undergraduate and graduate student engagement will be facilitated with training and outreach activities, thus promoting the interest and awareness of nuclear research carried out under the Department of Energy Nuclear Physics program and its user facilities. 4) Experiential learning opportunities will enable students from traditionally underrepresented minority groups to obtain hands-on experience in nuclear research, acquiring expertise in detector development (such as Monte Carlo Simulations) and cultivating the professional skills needed for careers within the DOE and STEM fields. The impact of this project will be far reaching in establishing Morgan State University as a leader in research in experimental nuclearscience, with a focus on preparing students from groups underrepresented in the field, for graduate school and the workforce.

Diversifying Education and Adding Research Capacity for Nuclear Science at Morgan State University

S. Nelson, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD, 21251 (Principal Investigator)

C. Santamaria, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD, 21251 (Co-Investigator)

W. Rockward, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD, 21251 (Co-Investigator)

M. Chiu, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY, 11973 (Co-Investigator)

This project at Morgan State University (MSU), a R2 Historically Black College/University (HBCU) aims to provide research training, mentorship, and education in experimental nuclear science, specifically in heavy ion physics to undergraduate and graduate students. Emphasis is placed on training in high performance computing, simulations of nuclear effects, detector design, data science, technical writing, communication skills, and teamwork. This initiative aims to increase diversity within the future nuclear workforce by equipping MSU students with the necessary tools, skillsets and experiences to thrive in these demanding fields.

This project strengthens the research infrastructure for MSU faculty and students by supporting four key objectives aligned with the DOE-RENEW mandate for workforce development.

1) A partnership with the Brookhaven National Laboratory, a National Laboratory of the Department of Energy, will enable sustained undergraduate and graduate student research and training through research-focused collaborations centered on detector development and detector design.

2) Financial support will expand the principal investigators’ current research, enabling them to expand their research, teaching capabilities, and student training effectively.

3) Undergraduate and graduate student engagement will be facilitated with training and outreach activities, thus promoting the interest and awareness of nuclear research carried out under the Department of Energy Nuclear Physics program and its user facilities.

4) Experiential learning opportunities will enable students from traditionally underrepresented minority groups to obtain hands-on experience in nuclear research, acquiring expertise in detector development (such as Monte Carlo Simulations) and cultivating the professional skills needed for careers within the DOE and STEM fields.

The impact of this project will be far reaching in establishing Morgan State University as a leader in research in experimental nuclearscience, with a focus on preparing students from groups underrepresented in the field, for graduate school and the workforce.