IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 22, 2009 Contact: Rochelle R. Daniel
University Relations and Marketing
office/301-860-4311, cell/301-875-8960 rdaniel@bowiestate.edu BSU Receives NSF Grant to Train Students in Biotechnology Bowie, Md.-Bowie State University has received a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant in the amount of $559,994 to support the establishment of a genomic training lab and the introduction of a new Applied Biotechnology course. The BSU grant is part of a larger award totaling more than $3,000,0000 which was awarded for a four-year project, entitled "An Integrated Study of Nitrogen Cycling and Storage in Poplar," and involves an interdisciplinary research team from the University of Maryland, College Park and Bowie State University. The Bowie State portion of the grant will support an intensive summer training course on its campus for undergraduate students selected from nearby Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and high school teachers from schools in Prince George's County. The overall goal of the award is to enhance minority participation in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) disciplines by improving on minority undergraduate students' competitiveness in the biotechnology job market and postgraduate education programs. Noting that biotechnology is a burgeoning industry in the state of Maryland and the nation, Mickey L. Burnim, president of the University, said "The NSF-funded program is significant because it provides Bowie State the opportunity to address the workforce needs of the state in a major industry while providing minority students training in a field where they have been underrepresented." George Ude, associate professor of natural sciences, is the co-principal investigator for Bowie State and a member of the research team for the project. He explained, "The project will equip BSU and other HBCU undergraduates with the necessary research skills to pursue STEM-based post-graduate program opportunities at the University of Maryland, College Park, and other biotechnology research institutions in Maryland." Bowie State's Department of Natural Sciences collaborated with the Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture at the University of Maryland, College Park to successfully procure the NSF grant. The dean of BSU's College of Arts and Sciences George Acquaah commended the collaborative effort and said: "We are excited about the program to provide research experience for minorities and train them in the discipline of biotechnology." About Bowie State University
Bowie State University (BSU) is an important higher education access portal for qualified persons from diverse academic and socioeconomic backgrounds who seek a high quality and affordable public comprehensive university. The University places special emphasis on the science, technology, teacher education, business, and nursing disciplines within the context of a liberal arts education. For more information about BSU, visit the website at http://www.bowiestate.edu/. | 
Hello, I am Tammi Thomas, director of University Relations and Marketing at Bowie State University. Our office is dedicated to promoting the news and achievements of the University and its faculty, staff, and students. We welcome story ideas to help promote BSU and media requests for information or to arrange interviews. Any member of our staff would be happy to speak with you. 
