Keep up with today’s research news from the U.S. National Science Foundation. This is a daily look at noteworthy scientific findings from researchers around the country.

• Measuring progress (and gaps) in the US skilled technical workforce
• Researchers find humans have given wild animals their diseases nearly 100 times
• Ancient DNA confirms marine mammal tuberculosis strains were found in inland people
• Laboratory experiments replicate volatile plasma at the center of galaxy clusters
• The longest drought, redefined
• From the magic of nature to the marvels of the Milky Way … this Citizen Science Month, explore how you can volunteer to advance science
• Tree cover helps gray foxes coexist with coyotes in rural areas
• Cities can be part of the solution in sustaining species
• Freshwater streams and rivers are getting saltier and more alkaline

A request has been posted for Quotation for the National Nuclear

Security Administration Technical, Engineering, and Programmatic

Services (TEPS) III BPA. The response due date is May 16, 2022 at 8:00 PM ET. Learn more Here.

CAREER Award Workshop #2: The Pitch

Goal: to provide an opportunity for each candidate to present a five-minute pitch of his/her project, and receive input from a panel of colleagues.

Minimum content of each pitch presentation:

1. Title of proposal
2. Synopsis of project, including aims and major research, educational, and service activities
3. Extent to which proposed activities suggest and explore creative, original, and/or potentially transformative concepts
4. Extent to which project will serve as a springboard to the applicant’s career
5. Metrics and/or other evaluation schemes to assess success and/or failure
6. Availability of resources to achieve stated goals
7. Discussion of the potential for the proposed activity to advance knowledge and understanding within its own field or across different fields (Intellectual Merit)
8. Discussion of the potential for the proposed activity to benefit society and/or advance desired societal outcomes (Broader Impacts)

Evaluation of pitches:

We will establish a panel of reviewers to provide oral feedback on the spot, then compile collective reviewer written responses to deliver to each faculty member. The panel will be charged with assessing the following elements:

1. Potential for the proposed activity to a. advance knowledge and understanding within its own field or across different fields (Intellectual Merit); and b. benefit society or advance desired societal outcomes (Broader Impacts)
2. Extent to which the proposed activities suggest and explore creative, original, or potentially transformative concepts
3. Whether plans for carrying out the proposed activities are well-reasoned, well-organized, and based on a sound rationale.
4. If the project description incorporates a mechanism to assess successes and failures.
5. Qualification of the individual, team, or institution to conduct the proposed activities.
6. Whether there are adequate resources available for the PI (either at the home institution or through collaborations) to carry out the proposed activities.

Please email any questions directly to Dr. Robert Ofoli ofoli@egr.msu.edu.