SEMO SCIENTISTS FORM A PARTNERSHIP WITH NASA

Southeast Missouri State University's claim to the space program has been Linda Godwin, an Oak Ridge native and graduate of the university who was chosen as a shuttle astronaut.

But Southeast will have a stronger relationship with the space program as a result of the selection of four faculty members from the College of Science and Technology to participate in the NASA-university Joint Venture Program.

Known as JOVE, the program is a collaborative research, educational development and outreach initiative that will give faculty members an opportunity to work closely with NASA scientists over the next three years.

The announcement was made on campus Thursday by U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson and university President Kala Stroup. Emerson said the program will give faculty and students the opportunity to "participate in some exciting research projects of NASA and help bring the people of this area a greater understanding of our space efforts."

He said: "Through this program NASA will have an opportunity to tap into local talent and use that to help meet their goals. This is literally bringing the space program right down home this is a positive development because this is a national effort."

Selected to participate in the program were: Dr. Gary Cwick of the department of geosciences; Dr. David Probst of the department of physics; and Dr. Jim Gong and Dr. Bruce Hathaway, both of the department of chemistry. They will begin a 10-week study program with NASA scientists this summer, and will continue with research projects in the future.

The four instructors could continue to qualify for NASA grants for the rest of their careers.

Southeast is one of 21 institutions selected to participate this year. The school joins 53 other institutions already participating.

JOVE, now in its fifth year, is aimed at addressing national needs in science and engineering education. The program is regarded as a valuable tool for increasing the new knowledge returned from space science missions. It can play a key role in the use of the space program to stimulate science and engineering education.

Emerson said the selection of Southeast is "a high tribute to the level of talent that we have here. I am gratified by the opportunities it will bring to students and faculty," he said.

Stroup and the faculty members who were chosen agreed that one of the most important benefits of participation will be opportunities for students.

The university will provide some release and research time for the faculty members and some scholarships for students who will assist in the research, Stroup said.

"We are so proud that Southeast scientists have been recognized to be part of that program," said Stroup. "This is an exciting opportunity for the College of Science and Technology and the university. When faculty members are participating in research at the cutting edge of science, their students are the beneficiaries.

"We believe the university's selection for the JOVE program will have a stimulating effect on science education throughout the region and public recognition of the quality of our facility."

Dr. Jesse Snowden, dean of the College of Science and Technology, said that having four faculty members chosen for the program is significant.

"We were pleased that all four of them were able to find a counterpart and get an approved project," said Snowden. "That says a lot about our faculty. This is going to be a good opportunity for these faculty. It is a wonderful way to boost their research productivity at just the right time in their careers. This is going to be an excellent association for Southeast and will be beneficial to the college as well."

Under the program, NASA will make data from active space science missions available to selected university professors through electronic links with research teams at NASA field centers and at mentor institutions.

Cwick, a geoscientist, will work this summer with Dr. Robin Bell at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. He will evaluate the impact on the environment.

Gong, an organic chemist, will work with Dr. Aloysius Hepp at the Lewis Research Center in Cleveland. His research will focus on the catalytic conversion of carbon dioxide into oxygen and organic molecules.

Hathaway, a medicinal chemist, will work with Dr. Donald Frazier at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., on researching organic materials.

Probst, an electrical engineer, will collaborate with Dr. Michael Krainak at the Goodard Space Flight Center on the use of laser technology in communications.