Spotlight on grants

Publication Date

David Gillikin, assistant professor of geology, is part of a team of researchers to receive a grant from the Flemish Science Foundation in Belgium. Led by scientists at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Gillikin and his colleagues will research “Reconstructing the biogeochemistry in tropical aquatic ecosystems using elemental and stable isotope tracers in freshwater bivalve shells.” ($471,000)

Christopher Chabris, associate professor of psychology, received funding from the National Science Foundation to support his project with researchers at Carnegie Mellon University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology titled, “COSS: Collaborative Research: Is Larger Smarter? Investigating the Effect of Group Size on Collective Intelligence.” ($3,600)

Rebecca Surman, professor of physics, continues her research on the astrophysical origins of particular elements thanks to a grant from the Nuclear Physics Division of the Department of Energy’s Office of Science. The DOE has supported her research since 2005, and she works closely with student research assistants. ($102,000)

Fernando Orellana, associate professor of visual arts, will continue developing his “Shadows” series after a grant from the Vilcek Foundation. The series uses machines inspired by paranormal research and ghost folklore to allow the dead to continue interacting this world. ($5,000)