ASTA Board Supports Funding Of Avian Flu Vaccine In The First Meeting Of The New Year

Friday, Jan 18, 2008

In its first meeting of 2008, the Arkansas Science & Technology Authority Board voted to approve funding of research to develop vaccines for avian flu, fellowships to fund a math and science center, eight high school teachers, NSF EPSCoR funding of a statewide Library Program, and undergraduate research awards, as well as allocation of funding to the EAST and SURF Programs.

The Authority approved funding for a Technology Development Program project to Biostrategies, LC, which is housed on the on the campus of Arkansas State University. The funds, totaling over $21,000, will be used to bridge a gap between two phases of research targeting development of inexpensive, high-quality agricultural vaccines to combat the effects of avian flu.

The Board approved several additional resolutions in favor of research and education. Nine professional development fellowships were awarded to eight high school teachers around the state as well as an instructor at Henderson State University’s South Arkansas Mathematics and Science Center.
In addition, the Board voted to approve the release of $210,000 over three years to the NSF EPSCoR (The Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research) e-Journal Resource Program, which will provide usage of research journals to eligible EPSCoR campuses around the state at no cost.
Match funding was also awarded to recipients of the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (a program funded by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education) and NASA awards for undergraduate students on multiple campuses around the state.

High school students in the EAST program will also benefit from Authority funding in the form of budget dollars to develop an informational video on research in the state of Arkansas.

The next Board meeting is scheduled for Friday, March 21, 2008.