Santa Clara University

The Center for Science, Technology, and Society has announced the recipients of the fall grant program for students.  Over $30,000 was allocated to the chosen proposals with approximately $10,000 going to student projects. There were a total of five proposals from students.

This inaugural competition supports projects that are commensurate with the Center’s mission, “to understand and enable the innovative application of science and technology for global human benefit.” CSTS is pleased to make these research awards, and hopes that these internal grants can help faculty seek additional, extra-mural funds, as well as continue to mentor our student scholars. The Center also encourages the integration of this research with new STS course development and the Values in Science & Technology pathway (also sponsored by CSTS).

The grant program is headed by Jack Gilbert, Professor and Chair of the Chemistry & Biochemistry department at Santa Clara University as well as Director of Sponsored Research at the Center, and Craig Stephens, Associate Professor of Biology and Director of Education at the Center.
 

Student Grant Recipients

From Left to Right: Fr. Michael Engh (President), Thomas Adamek (Graduate, Mechanical Engineering), Vincent Howard (Graduate, Mechanical Engineering), Steven Li (Graduate, Mechanical Engineering), Paul Mahacek (Graduate, Mechanical Engineering)

Mr. Thomas Adamek - Mr. Vincent Howard - Mr. Steven Li - Mr. Paul Mahecek

Department of Civil Engineering
“Facilitating Sustainable Development and Utilization of Resources Using Shallow-Water Bathymetry.”
Bathymetry will be used to assess sedimentation in the Lempa river basin of El Salvador. The results will be used to develop protocols for the use and protection of natural resources in an effective and sustainable manner.

From Left to Right: Fr. Michael Engh (President), Mindy Yoneshige (Undergraduate, Civil Engineering), Molly Dunphy (Undergraduate, Civil Engineering), Ryan Clark (Undergraduate, Civil Engineering)

Mr. Ryan Clark - Ms. Molly Dunphy - Ms. Mindy Yoneshige

Department of Civil Engineering
“Developing a Self-Sufficient Water Filtration System for Rural Populations.”
A self-sufficient water purification system will be designed and constructed to provide clean drinking water. Initially, the system will be installed in a rural Honduran community, and if the project is successful, the design will be provided to an NGO for use throughout this country as well as others.

From Left to Right: Brie Rust (Undergraduate, Civil Engineering),Fr. Michael Engh (President), Laura Skinner (Undergraduate, Civil Engineering),Erica Fieger (Undergraduate, Civil Engineering), Spencer Ambauen (Undergraduate, Civil Engineering),Sukhmander Singh (Acting Chair Fall and Winter Quarters and Professor, Civil Engineering Department)

Ms. Laura Skinner - Ms. Brie Rust - Mr. Spencer Ambauen - Ms. Erica Fieger

Department of Civil Engineering
“Sustainable Building Design in Northern Ghana”
This project involves the design and construction of an onion storage facility and uses readily available local building materials. The result is planned to be a facility that can easily be replicated in other rural communities wherein proper storage of foods is critical.

From Left to Right: Fr. Michael Engh (President),Conor Roche (Undergraduate, Biochemistry), Shawn Khademi (Undergraduate, Biology), Thorsteinn Adalsteinsson (Assistant Professor - Chemistry & Biochemistry Department)

Mr. Shawn Khademi, Mr. Conor Roche

Departments of Biology and Chemistry & Biochemistry
“Use of Colloidal Nano-Gels for Enhancing Applications of Capillary Electrophoresis” “Studies addressing the synthesis and testing of colloidal nano-gels for use in various applications of capillary electrophoresis will be undertaken. A primary goal is to assess whether use of nano-gels as the sieving medium will decrease the time-lag associated with loading the capillary apparatus and result in a greener chemical process for preparing the required medium.”

From Left to Right: Fr. Michael Engh (President), Justin Peel (Undergraduate, Physics major)

Mr. Justin Peel

Department of Physics
“Polymer Solar Cells for Cheap Sustainable Power”
Research will be conducted for developing a solar cell based on organic polymers rather than silicon. The hope is that such cells would be less expensive and more sustainable than those currently available.