The ORSP Update
September 2025
Our monthly newsletter highlights opportunities, awards, and events through the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.
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AnnouncementsRecently Awarded GrantsUpcoming External Funding OpportunitiesUpcoming Student OpportunitiesSave the DatesAnnouncements
Welcome Back to a New Semester!
ORSP looks forward to continuing to work with our dedicated WCU faculty. As a reminder, we are in SECC on the thrid floor so feel free to stop in and see us!
SURI Closing Event
This year's Summer Undergraduate Research Institute (SURI) attracted a record number of applications from undergraduate students. The 34 students who were selected to be 2025 SURI Scholars wrote compelling proposals for fascinating research and creativity activity projects they completed in an intensive 5-week period under faculty mentorship. Here is a snapshot of just a few of the outstanding students presenting their work.
Reminder: Check out the Student Research Hubs
This resource for students is a one-stop-shop for information about the events, funding, publication, IRB, etc. CLICK HERE to view the Undergraduate Student Research Hub and CLICK HERE to view the Graduate Student Research Hub. This is an excellent resource to share with students interested in, or currently conducting, research and creative activity.
Reminder to review our IRB/ORSP Policies and Guidance
IRB Information
To set up a meeting with the 2025 IRB Co-Chairs, please email to schedule an appointment:
- Dr. Melissa Reed: mreed3@wcupa.edu
- Dr. Heather Leaman: hleaman@wcupa.edu
Faculty & Student Research Spotlights
Dr. Brandon J. Mitchell
Dr. Brandon J. Mitchell's research focuses on harnessing rare-earth-doped semiconductors for next-generation optoelectronic devices with applications in quantum computing. In addition, he has partnered with Thorlabs, a global leader in photonics, to expand quantum optics outreach in local high schools, making research-grade experiments accessible to students from all socioeconomic backgrounds.
Want your research to be highlighted? Submit your research story here!
Follow us on Instagram to support our office and stay involved with WCU’s research community. Click here to view our Instagram!
Recently Awarded Grants
Pauline Schmidt, English – Library of Congress: Teaching with Primary Sources: Arts-based and Place-based Pedagogical Research for Educators - $24,929*
Joby Hilliker, Earth & Space Sciences – NASA - NASA - Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium (PSGC) 2025-2028 - $40,000*
Lynne Elkins, Earth & Space Sciences – NSF - NSF Collaborative Research: Hydrous melting of a lithologically-heterogeneous mantle: A combined experimental and computational approach - $52,550
Lynne Elkins, Earth & Space Sciences – NSF - NSF CAREER: Modeling two-phase flow, multi-lithologic melting, and chemical disequilibrium with uranium-series isotopes - $217,162
John Pisciotta, Biology – Chester Count Beekeepers Association: Grant Program 2025 - $1,500
Stevie Grassetti, Psychology – Health Resources and Services Administration: Training Resources Advancing Interdisciplinary Networks to care for Underserved Populations (Trained Up Project) - $449,987
Danielle Chirdon, Chemistry – American Chemical Society: Polymer Photocathodes for Practical Conversion of CO2 Petroleum Byproduct Supplemental Award - $25,000*
* Grant currently being negotiated. Only primary PIs have been listed. Congratulations to all co-PIs on these projects!
Upcoming External Funding Opportunities
Arts & Humanities
11/20/2025: ACLS Digital Justice Development Grants
12/01/2025: Summer Institute for the Study of East Central and Southeastern Europe
Health Sciences
11/15/2025: Gerber Foundation Nutrition Research Grant01/15/2026: Allen Foundation
Science & Mathematics
11/04/25: Research on Innovative Technologies for Enhanced Learning (RITEL) | NSF 23-624
01/15/2026: Social Psychology | PD 22-133202/05/2026: CISE Future Computing Research
Education & Social Work
10/15/2025: Brady Education Foundation
11/12/2025: Discovery Research PreK-12 program (DRK-12)
Business & Public Management
12/05/2025: IBM Center for The Business of Government
01/16/2026: Human-Environment and Geographical Sciences Program (HEGS) | NSF 25-507
Upcoming Student Opportunities
Student Research Hubs
This resource includes information about the events, funding, publication, IRB, etc. CLICK HERE to view the Undergraduate Student Research Hub and CLICK HERE to view the Graduate Student Research Hub. This is an excellent resource to share with students interested in, or currently conducting, research and creative activity.
RAM Research Directory
Are you interested in research? Click here to use the RAM Research Directory to find a research mentor!
Save the Dates
