Welcome

INVESTIGATION OF THE PLATELET 5HT2A AND P2Y1 RECEPTORS

This project aims to design and characterize reagents targeting the ligand binding and G-protein coupling domains of several G-protein coupled receptors for their biological activity in an attempt to purpose them for therapeutic purposes for managing thrombotic disease.

IN UTERO THIRD-HAND SMOKE IMPACT ON PLATELET FUNCTION AND THROMBOGENESIS

This project addresses fundamental and mechanistic concerns regarding the cardiovascular health effects of in utero exposure to third-hand smoke and the toxicants it produces. Expected outcomes include evidence-based therapeutic management, prevention and control efforts of tobacco-associated thrombosis-based disease states.

MRI: ACQUISITION OF AN X-RAY DIFFRACTOMETER FOR RESEARCH, EDUCATION, AND REGIONAL USE

This grant supports the acquisition of a state-of-the-art, high-intensity single crystal X-ray diffractometer (SCXRD) for research and educational purposes. The SCXRD is essential for characterizing new molecules and understanding protein structures and their function.

ADVANCED UNMIXING OF HYPERSPECTRAL REMOTE SENSING DATA FOR SPACE SITUATIONAL AWARENESS

This project develops adaptive algorithms for unmixing of hyperspectral remote sensing data to spatially resolve objects in distant space in order to determine function and status.

FULLERENE CAGES AS MOLECULAR NANOCONTAINERS TO STABILIZE UNPRECEDENTED URANIUM CLUSTERS AND BONDING MOTIFS

This grant synthesizes, purifies and fully characterizes the structure of totally new endohedral fullerene compounds containing uranium trapped in the inside of the carbon cages with a specific look for mono-uranium, di-uranium and uranium clusters.

PARTNERSHIP FOR RESEARCH AND EDUCATION CONSORTIUM IN CERAMICS AND POLYMERS (PRE-CCAP)

A consortium of three MSIs and two Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratories, the Partnership for Research and Education Consortium in Ceramics and Polymers establishes a sustainable pipeline of a highly trained next generation workforce and a community of technical peers for the core mission of the DOE National Nuclear Security Administration.

AUTONOMOUS AERIAL POWER PLANT INSPECTION IN GPS-DENIED ENVIRONMENTS

Given the challenges of power plant inspections, this project will develop both rotary wing flying robots for outdoor inspections, due to their station-keeping and vertical take-off capabilities, and airships for indoor inspection to prevent high thrust from stirring up particulates, which can create diffusion and scattering in the vision sensors.

NEA BIG READ ON THE BORDER: ACCESS AND REPRESENTATION VIA BLESS ME, ULTIMA

The NEA Big Read initiative will celebrate the beloved novel Bless Me, Ultima with events across the city and at UTEP. Readings, discussions and performances will fill the month of October to bring this great work of literature to life along the border.

LA FE PHARMACY RESIDENT CONTRACT

The residency training program advances pharmacy education and clinical services in the US-Mexico border region through engagement of Doctor of Pharmacy residents in clinical, administrative, health education, teaching, and practice research to promote novel practice models and to enhance health outcomes of the community.

EXPLORE STEM CAMPS SUMMER 2018

This grant supports STEM summer camps focused on engineering and biomedical disciplines, utilizing project-based learning, problem-solving, and inquiry-based approaches.

BBRC PILOT: EXPANSION OF A COMMUNITY-BASED DIABETES RISK ASSESSMENT IN MEN: PERCEIVED VS. BIOLOGICAL RISK

There is considerable evidence showing health disparities among racial/ethnic minority men and the economic burden of these disparities on the US health care system; however, to our knowledge, there are no evidence-based recommendations or best practices guidelines for engaging Hispanic/Latino men in health seeking behaviors, particularly as they relate to diabetes. The proposed research is critical for addressing this gap and health disparities among racial/ethnic minority men.

R21: DISCOVERY OF A NOVEL TARGET FOR TREATMENT OF GIARDIASIS

This research project will inform the development of a drug to combat the waterborne pathogen, Giardia lamblia, which is a major cause of parasite-induced diarrheal diseases worldwide, particularly in low-resource environments where children are especially vulnerable to giardial infection.

FEASIBILITY STUDY OF HYBRID LEAD HALIDE PEROVSKITES CRYSTALS FOR X - AND GAMMA-RAY DETECTORS AND PHOTOVOLTAICS

This project grows bulk single crystal hybrid perovskites from off-the-shelf organic-inorganic starting materials for application of a high-sensitive, low-noise spectroscopic gamma radiation detector in room-temperature operation.

NSF-NERC: THWAITES INTERDISCIPLINARY MARGIN EVOLUTION (TIME): THE ROLE OF SHEAR MARGIN DYNAMICS IN THE FUTURE EVOLUTION OF THE THWAITES DRAINAGE BASIN

This interdisciplinary project investigates the shear margin dynamics of the Thwaites Glacier, collecting new, high-resolution seismic data, radar data, and borehole temperature measurements within the ice.

MULTILINGUAL TECHNOLOGY DESIGN IN COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE CONTEXTS

This study explores how tools and technologies can be designed to effectively facilitate how bilingual (Spanish and English-speaking) individuals in the U.S. and Mexico access health-related information and resources in digital spaces.

UTEP INSPECTION CRAWLER

This project focuses on machine vision/deep learning of the robotic proof of concept inspection that was made in a prior phase. Its aim is to improve the robotics.

INVESTIGATING WEST TEXAS SEISMICITY AND STRUCTURE WITH DENSE GEOPHONE ARRAYS

This project deploys specialized nodes in a pre-selected area of West Texas to collect dense seismic datasets to be analyzed using a wide array of methods, such as earthquake tomography, full waveform inversion, fault plane solutions, and ambient noise tomography.

PLANNING GRANT: ENGINEERING RESEARCH CENTER FOR OFFSHORE WIND ENERGY CENTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE, CONTROL, INNOVATION, AND UTILITY-SCALE TRANSMISSION

This planning grant investigates a multi-disciplinary, system-level framework to create a resilient infrastructure that enables a large and responsible level of offshore wind energy to be harvested.

UTEP INTERNSHIP SHOCAP EVALUATION

This grant supports internships at the El Paso Juvenile Justice Center.

TO 14: ORBITAL DEBRIS INTERN- EDUARDO QUINONEZ-RICO

This internship co-develops analytical computational fluid dynamics models of the transference of cryogenic water, CO2 and other volatiles in non-standard pressure and temperature regimes to support, in part, the design of spacecraft hardware for cryo-volatile collection, handling and storage.

JOURNALISM IN JULY 2018

This grant supports Journalism in July where area high school juniors and seniors spend a week honing their multimedia journalism skills to prepare them for a career in the field.

RAPPAHANNOCK COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS COMMIT TO BE FIT

This grant provides evaluation services for projects and programs targeting Increased healthy eating and active living for Rappahannock County Public Schools.

EL PASO RECREATIONAL ADAPTIVE SPORTS (EPRAS)

This grant funds the purchase of adaptive sports wheelchairs for youth with paralysis in the El Paso del Norte Region to include Juarez, El Paso, Dona Ana and Otero Counties. UTEP students in the physical therapy program will assist in the program as part of their community service and learning.

DEVELOPMENT, IMPLEMENTATION, AND EVALUATION OF PLACE-BASED EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

This project develops, implements, and evaluates three place-based experimental design modules in the areas of: a) chemistry and macromolecules; b) cells and genetics; and c) energy and metabolism.

GREEN TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP FOR ENGINEERS

This grant supports the development of a new course to improve engineering curriculum through the inclusion of Green Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship concepts and practices through a community-driven, problem-based, interdisciplinary approach.

SOL Y AGUA: A PD PROGRAM FOR THE PASO DEL NORTE REGION

The CS4HS (Special Topics) grant introduces computing concepts to students in several El Paso area middle schools in El Paso, using a game-based learning platform Sol y Agua

FABRICATION, PROCESSING AND CHARACTERIZATION OF CONTACTS TO WIDE BANG GAP OXIDES WITH ENHANCED THERMAL STABILITY

This collaborative research project with Carnegie Mellon University is to design, develop and characterize functional performance ohmic and rectifying contact metallizations with enhanced thermal stability to wideband gap oxides while the model system chosen is Ga2O3. To enhance the impact of the research collaboration, the investigators will host a Joint Research & Education Colloquium on Gallium Oxide and Related Materials at UTEP.

FABRICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF SENSOR COMPONENTS FOR FOSSIL ENERGY SYSTEMS

The purpose of this multi-investigator, multi-institution collaborative project is to design, characterize, demonstrate and realize wireless, conformal strain and pressure sensors manufactured using simple, low-cost direct write additive methods for application in fossil energy (FE) systems.

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF CUTANEOUS LEISHMANIASIS BY IMMUNOASSAYS WITH DENSITY-CONTROLLED PRESENTATION OF GLYCAN BIOMARKERS

This project investigates the synthesis of unusual glycan partial structures found on the cell surface of the parasites L. major or L. tropica: two parasites of the Leishmania genus that cause cutaneous leishmaniasis. We hypothesize that a differential diagnosis between cutaneous leishmaniasis infections caused by these two Leishmania species will be possible using patient sera, chemiluminescent ELISA, and synthetic, immunogenic glycotopes present on the cell surfaces of L. major or L. tropica, but not both.

NEUTRON SCATTERING AND DIFFRACTION STUDIES OF MAGNETIC NANOMATERIALS

The main objectives of this scholarship program effort are to recruit, select, and train junior-and senior-level undergraduates at UTEP in the major areas related to nuclear science and engineering, specifically the magnetic and magnetic resonance properties of newly-synthesized uranium and actinium-related nuclear materials.

COMBUSTION MECHANISMS OF HAN-BASED GREEN MONOPROPELLANTS

The so-called “green” monopropellants have the potential to replace highly toxic hydrazine in space propulsion systems. The project investigates combustion of monopropellants based on hydroxylammonium nitrate (HAN), and will lead to an improved understanding of processes occurring during combustion of these propellants over a wide pressure range.

BIG DATA ON THE BORDER: A CASE STUDY OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN U.S.-MEXICO BORDER SECURITY

This project explores the opportunities and limitations of artificial intelligence technologies in U.S. border security policy. Findings from this research will inform border security strategy as well as academic debates on autonomous weapons systems, predictive policing, and intelligence analysis.

SHINING LIGHT ON AN AMYGDALA-BRAINSTEM CONNECTION RELEVANT FOR ATTENTION PROCESSING

This grant supports the dissertation research project of Jose Cano in examining the Sensorimotor Gating (SG) mechanism, which characterizes the potential role of amygdala input to the core of the SG pathway. Results from this project will fill a critical knowledge gap of attention processes in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and anxiety, and offer novel and potential therapeutic targets.

COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN DRAFTING – INTERSECTION ASSET MANAGEMENT

The objective of the intersection project is to have a complete asset management database for the El Paso Water Utilities (EPWU) system. Initial data will be provided by EPWU, and new data collected will be appended to the geodatabase, which will be the final product of this project.

COLLECTIVE IMPACT CAPACITY BUILDING GRANT

This grant supports expenses for attending collective impact convenings, such as the FSG Collective Impact Forum, and meeting with experts in the field in order to learn more about collective impact.

A NOVEL MICROBIAL NATIVE SULFUR FORMATION PATHWAY

The research investigation of doctoral student Amanda L. Labrado aims to test the feasibility of native sulfur deposit formation in the absence of light and oxidants to understand if a yet undiscovered microbial pathway might be active in Earth’s biogeochemical sulfur cycle, which has implications for the detection of life in Earth’s geologic past and elsewhere.

THE ORIGINS OF MOLECULES IN DIVERSE SPACE AND PLANETARY ENVIRONMENTS AND THEIR INTRAMOLECULAR ISOTOPE SIGNATURES

This project approaches predictions of H-isotope exchange in relevant molecules with Density Functional Theory calculations of vibrational energies in site-specific and multiple substitutions for molecules of interest. The theoretical studies will further consider approximations and errors inherent to the methods and will encompass alternate visions of how such problems could be approached.

SOUTHWEST LOCAL ALGEBRA MEETING 2019

This grant supports the Southwest Local Algebra Meeting [SLAM] to be held in February 2019. This is a regional mathematics research conference, held annually at different universities in Texas, New Mexico and neighboring states.

SC1: INTERROGATING BRAIN CIRCUITS THAT CONTROL FEEDING CAUSED BY FASTING OR BY CRAVING

The goal of this project is to functionally interrogate newly-mapped circuits that may help control food intake and regulate body weight of individuals suffering from brain circuit dysfunction that controls appetite, resulting in obesity, metabolic syndromes or eating disorders.

CONSULTING AND RESEARCH SERVICES FOR ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING

The project supports joint research and other collaborative opportunities to promote new and existing additive manufacturing offerings to both industry customers/members and government funding agencies.

BBRC PILOT: COMMUNITY-BASED LEAD SOURCE MITIGATION FOR REDUCING CHILD LEAD EXPOSURE

This project directly impacts child health by lowering child blood lead levels through lead source mitigation using a novel community-based approach, which is replicable, scalable and child-relevant.

BBRC PILOT: IDENTIFIYING SMALL MOLECULE INHIBITORS OF AXON DEGENERATION VIA TMEM184B

This research lays the foundation for drug discovery in the axon degeneration pathway controlled by TMEM184b to both achieve a better understanding of this unique family of receptors and to inform ways to interfere with nerve degeneration in patients suffering from neurological disorders.

BBRC PILOT: CAN pH-RESPONSIVE NANO-ANTIBIOTICS CONTROL THE ANTIBACTERIAL RESISTANCE CRISIS

This project addresses the problem of antibiotic resistance by developing novel stimuli-responsive materials and nano-antibiotic systems for targeted drug delivery with global implications of infectious disease control and the alleviation of human suffering.

CEILOMETER OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE AND MIXING HEIGHT COMPARISONS

This project will determine the local transport of pollutants across the Ciudad Juárez / El Paso border to support future required meteorological modeling with an aim of understanding and ultimately mitigating ground-level ozone.

DREAMER RESOURCE CENTERS: INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT FOR UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS

The UndocuScholars Project will strengthen organizational capacity of higher education institutions to support undocumented students. Specifically, Dreamer Resource Centers will be evaluated and networked to improve efficiency and optimize resources, resulting in the generation of practice-related professional development resources and opportunities for these students.

SLOAN RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP: PUSHING CHEMICAL BOUNDARIES THROUGH STERICS AND ELECTRONS

The Sloan Research Fellowship will advance the research activities of the Fortier laboratory in the areas of synthetic inorganic chemistry to discovery new chemistry of the base metals of both the transition and actinide series.

COMMUNITY LEGAL INTERNSHIPS FOR LAW SCHOOL STUDENTS

This grant supports summer internships for UTEP graduates who participated in the UTEP Law School Preparation Institute and are currently enrolled in law school. These local internships are with federal judges, state appellate judges, governmental legal offices, and not-for-profit legal offices in the El Paso community.

THINK CHANGE

This project ensures a supportive mental health environment in the Housing Authority of the City of El Paso (HACEP) through (1) a review of housing policies; and (2) coordination and oversight of Mental Health First Aid training to HACEP employees of who have frequent contact with residents and applicants.

BIOGEOCHEMISTRY OF PHOSPHATE AND CARBON INTERACTIONS IN AGROECOSYSTEMS: COUPLING EXPERIMENTAL DATA WITH DENSITY FUNCTIONAL THEORY

Using computational chemistry approaches, this project will provide a detailed, molecular-scale understanding of phosphate and organic matter interactions with soil minerals to generate new understanding relevant to judicious management of soil resources, leading to enhanced environmental quality and function.

CAREER DIVERSITY AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN BORDERLANDS HISTORY

This grant supports a PhD student as a “Career Diversity Fellow,” who will work with PI Shepard and a small Core Committee of faculty, to maximize the professional development experiences of doctoral students in the program to raise awareness of the vast range of career trajectories available to historians.

A NOVEL APPROACH TO TREATING CASTRATION RESISTANT PROSTATE CANCER

This project seeks to understand the basic molecular mechanisms that drive prostate cancer progression in order to develop novel and effective strategies for treating late stage disease.

IDENTIFICATION OF NOVEL ANTIAPOPTOTIC PROTEIN SIGNALING COMPLEXES AS NEW THERAPEUTIC TARGETS FOR THE TREATMENT OF HEMATOLOGICAL MALIGNANCIES

This grant studies the efficacy of novel drugs that target Prohibitins and pro-survival proteins associated with hematological cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma; and explores new options to identify oncogenic mutations and their association with the activation of anti-apoptotic proteins in primary patient samples.

AMERICAN HOROLOGICS: LITERATURE, TIMEKEEPING, AND THE PRODUCTION OF SPACE IN EARLY WESTERN NORTH AMERICA

This NEH fellowship supports the completion of “American Horologics: Literature, Timekeeping and the Production of Space in Early Western North America,” a book focusing on the interlocking cultural histories and shifting geographies of the Southwestern borderlands within the context of the continental imperial projects that have shaped the Southwest over time.

COURI Summer Symposium 2018

Sat, 08/04/2018 - 10:00, Undergraduate Learning Center

Expertise CoP: Undergraduate Research

IDRE Community of Practice Meeting

Tue, 09/11/2018 - 15:00, Collaboration Hub (room 131 -- across from Blumberg Auditorium in Library)

Expertise CoP: Interdisciplinary Research and Education (IDRE)