Four Iowa State University researchers have been selected to receive funding from the NASA Established Program to Simulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) Rapid Response Research (R3) program for fiscal year 2024. EPSCoR is designed to effect lasting improvements in Iowa’s research infrastructure through developing a federal-state partnership aimed at increasing Iowa’s national research competitiveness. The R3 funding awards create a collaborative research effort between NASA EPSCoR programs and NASA mission Directorate Programs. The application is an annual competitive process completed with the support of Iowa NASA EPSCoR.
The goal of the R3 program is to develop innovative collaborations between NASA professionals and other industry and university faculty members to solve the current challenges NASA researchers face.
Iowa State’s Department of Aerospace Engineering Assistant Professor, Simone Servadio has received funding for his research proposal entitled “Parameters Estimation for Informed Orbit Capacity Models, STMD.”
Mechanical Engineering Associate Professor, Reza Montazami submitted his proposal “On-Demand Manufacturing of Soft Bioionic and Bioelectronic Devices for In-Space Cell Studies, STMD, ESDMD, SOMD” and has also been selected to receive funding.
Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Saikat Mukherjee received funding for his project proposal “Numerical Modeling of Perivascular Cerebrospinal Fluid-Induced Optic Disc Edema in Astronauts, SOMD.”
“This prestigious award provides a perfect platform to launch my career in biofluid dynamics. The research will drive future medical interventions and novel countermeasures against spaceflight risks that will be key to future extra-planetary voyages,” Mukherjee said.
Assistant Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, Siddhartha Pathak received an R3 award for his research project entitled “Advancing In-Space Construction through Cold Welding, SOMD.”
“We are very excited to have four NASA R3 awards given to Iowa. I think it speaks to the high level of research being conducted in the State of Iowa.” – Sara Nelson, Director, Iowa NASA ESPCoR
The 2024 award recipients will spend the next year working with NASA collaborators on their research proposals. For more information on Rapid Response Research opportunities through NASA EPSCoR click here.
