Archive for May, 2008
May 29, 2008 at 5:02 pm · Filed under General
The second issue of the R&D Center Newsletter - Mío Cid - is here: Mío Cid -May 2008. Inside this issue: R&DC Strategic Plan Approved for 2008-2016; Relay for Life: R&DC Team; Biorefinery Inaugurated in Lajas, R&DC Officials Attend NIH Research Administrator Workshop, UPRM receives visitors from PUC-Rio Grandedo Sul (Brazil); Meet Our Researchers: Alexandra Medina-Borja; Meet Our Personnel: Budget Office; ORE has Moved; Meet Our First Director: Manuel Hernández-Ávila; Quick R&D Quiz.
May 27, 2008 at 3:56 pm · Filed under General
For your information: A Report from the Basic Energy Sciences Advisory Committee (BESAC), U.S. Department of Energy, presented the Grand Challenges for Basic Energy Sciences last December 2007. According to the report: “This new era of energy science poses five challenges:
- How do we control materials processes at the level of electrons?
- How do we design and perfect atom- and energy-efficient syntheses of revolutionary new forms of matter with tailored properties?
- How do remarkable properties of matter emerge from the complex correlations of atomic or electronic constituents and how can we control these properties?
- How can we master energy and information on the nanoscale to create new technologies with capabilities rivaling those of living things?
- How do we characterize and control matter away—especially very far away—from equilibrium? Addressing these grand challenges is key to making the transition from observation to control of matter.”
For a full text of the Report, refer to: http://www.sc.doe.gov/bes/reports/files/GC_rpt.pdf
May 27, 2008 at 2:51 pm · Filed under General
Here are the Grand Challenges for engineering as determined by a committe of the National Academy of Engineering:
- Make solar energy economical
- Provide energy from fusion
- Develop carbon sequestration methodsManage the nitrogen cycle
- Provide access to clean water
- Restore and improve urban infrastructure
- Advance health informatics
- Engineer better medicines
- Reverse-engineer the brain
- Prevent nuclear terror
- Secure cyberspace
- Enhance virtual reality
- Advance personalized learning
- Engineer the tools of scientific discovery
For additional information, access: http://www.engineeringchallenges.org/cms/8996/9221.aspx.
May 22, 2008 at 9:50 am · Filed under General
The Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) consists of faculty, staff, and community representatives and is charged under Federal Regulations and Regents’ Policy with the oversight of all teaching and research activities involving: Recombinant DNA, Artificial Gene Transfer, Infectious Agents (bacteria, viruses, protozoans, fungi, etc.) and, Biologically Derived Toxins. This also includes use of biological materials at sites removed from UPRM by University faculty, staff, or researchers under grants and contracts to the university. Committee members are appointed by the Dean of Academic Affairs. The Director of the Health and Safety Office serves as a member of the IBC. The IBC is authorized to inspect research facilities, approve research practices and procedures, and take such actions that are necessary, including the enforcement of cessation of research activities in the event of an unresolved safety hazard. They are currently updating their data on ongoing projects at UPRM subject to Sections III-A through III-E of the NIH Guidelines (Regardless of funding source). These guidelines can be found at: http://www4.od.nih.gov/oba/rac/guidelines_02/NIH_Guidelines_Apr_02.htm Your collaboration is being requested, in defining these ongoing projects and providing the following information:· Title of project· Name of the PI· Section of the NIH Guidelines under which the research falls, and· Biosafety level at which the research is being conducted.
If there are no projects within your department that fall within Sections III-A through III-E of the NIH Guidelines, please inform the IBC as well. A response prior to the end of May is appreciated.
Jaime E. Ramirez-Vick, Ph.D.Chairperson UPRM IBCProfessor Department of Engineering Sciences and Materials Graduate Bioengineering ProgramUniversity of Puerto RicoP.O. Box 9044 + Mayaguez + PR 00681-9044Phone (787) 832-4040 x3048 + Mobile (787) 464-3333 + Fax (787) 265-3816http://ece.uprm.edu/~jvick/
May 20, 2008 at 8:38 pm · Filed under General
The R&D Center invites Principal Investigators (PIs) with active projects at the R&DC to attend this workshop on accounting issues of great relevance for effective project administration.
CID 203: Accounting Issues: AMEX, Travel, Direct Payments, Expenses/Invoices/Billing, Closing Accounts
PRESENTERS: Mayra Borrero and Frank Miranda
DATE: Thursday, May 29, 2008
PLACE: Conference Room CID 123
TIME: 10:30 AM - 12:00 noon
TARGET AUDIENCE: PI’s, Project Administrators and Administrative Assistants
Please confirm your attendance, contacting Ruth Montalvo, R&D Center-Administration Office, Email: There is a 30 persons seating capacity.
May 16, 2008 at 11:49 am · Filed under General
The Office of External Resources (ORE, for its Spanish acronym) has moved to its new facilities located in office JD-2 of the R&D Center Main Administration Building. The new phone number is X-5235.
