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Research institutions across South Dakota have become the birthplace of new innovations, technologies and start-up businesses thanks to a statewide collaboration in research investments.
A report recently commissioned by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) links university research with economic growth in areas surrounding university towns. The study conducted by the Brookings
Institution for the WSJ, found that strong economic resiliency correlated with the presence of a major research institution, in particular, land-grant institutions where the focus is on applied research, agriculture and engineering.
In the Wall Street Journal’s article, There’s an Antidote to America’s Long Economic Malaise: College Towns, Harvard University economist Edward Glaeser stated, “Universities produce knowledge, and if they have professors who are into patenting and research, it’s like having a ready base of entrepreneurs in the area.”
These findings are reflected across South Dakota thanks to research infrastructure investments being made at the state’s universities guided by the South Dakota Science and Technology (S&T) plan.
Consistent with what the Brookings Institution study found nationally, a strong correlation in South Dakota can be seen between research investments and the economic growth of science and industries in college towns such as Brookings and Rapid City. These investments include the creation of the South Dakota Research and Innovation Center (SDRIC), and the Governor’s Research Center (GRC) programs.
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Continued on pg. 2 INSIDETHIS ISSUE
• SD College Towns
• Welcome Jill Dale
• News & Announcements
• Student Spotlight - Suresh Damodaran
• SD Bio Network - Join Today!
• Upcoming Events
RESEARCH. EDUCATION. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.SD EPSCoR
JANUARY 2017 E-NEWSLETTER
South Dakota College Towns Experience
Economic Growth as a Result of Research
Infrastructure Investments
http://www.twitter.com/sdepscorhttp://www.facebook.com/sdepscor [email protected]://www.sdepscor.org
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Linking South Dakota’s Future to Science & Technology
The SD EPSCoR office welcomes Jill Dale as its Program Administrator. Jill joined the EPSCoR office in Brookings on December 12, filling a vacancy created by the retirement of Karen Theodosopoulos. She joins the SD EPSCoR office with former work experience in higher education and a background in finance. Jill enjoys small town living with her husband, two daughters and dog.
WELCOME JILL DALE SD EPSCOR Project
Administrator
Email: [email protected]: (605) 688-6228
NEWS/ANNOUNCEMENTS
• 2017 NASA NGFFP Opportunity
• NSF I-Corps Teams Program
• Science Fairs Fuel STEM Careers• Governor’s Giant Vision Competition• Graduate online course for STEM
teachers offered by DSU
• SD Biotech Student Competition
For a complete list of news andannouncements visit www.sdepscor.org
Examples of these centers include Advanced Manufacturing Process Technology Transition & Training (AMPTECH) and Composite & Nanocomposite Advanced Manufacturing (CNAM) at South Dakota School of Mines & Technology (SDSMT) launched in 2013. Both have strong relations with companies across South Dakota as well as out-of-state companies and employ graduates from South Dakota universities, contributing to the state’s economic growth.
The state’s first SDRIC is a larger research investment. The “Biosystems Networks and Translational Research” (BioSTNR) SDRIC is a partnership between South Dakota State University, the University of South Dakota, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, Augustana University, Dakota Wesleyan University and the South Dakota biotechnology industry. It is supported by the National Science Foundation’s Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) program. BioSTNR uses advanced techniques and computational analysis to study the molecules that allow cells to communicate with each other to control processes occurring in plants, animals and people. Its goals are to improve agricultural crop yields while decreasing the need for synthetic fertilizers and to provide the scientific basis for the development of new disease treatments.
As sources of basic and applied STEM research, these centers strengthen their surrounding communities by aligning workforce development activities with these research strengths and grow the entrepreneurial culture that is hallmark of a knowledge-based 21st century economy.
To learn more, please visit www.sdstplan.org.
SD COLLEGE TOWNS EXPERIENCE GROWTH CONTINUED...
Linking South Dakota’s Future to Science & Technology
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• Eastern SD Science and Engineering Fair at SDSU - March 21, 2017
• South Central SD Science and Engineering Fair at DWU - March 21, 2017
• Northern SD Science and Math Fair at NSU - March 23, 2017
• High Plains Regional Science and Engineering Fair at SDSMT - March 28, 2017
2017 South Dakota Regional Science Fair Dates:
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Linking South Dakota’s Future to Science & Technology
SD EPSCOR STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Suresh Damodaran -- South Dakota State
Doctoral candidate Suresh Damodaran is working in Dr. Sen Subramanian’s lab at South Dakota State University (SDSU) to identify how nodules develop in roots of leguminous plants such as soybeans. Nodules develop on soybean roots as a result of symbiosis with rhizobium bacteria found in the soil. The plant allows these bacteria to enter into nodules and convert atmospheric nitrogen into a plant-usable nitrogen source. The biggest advantage of this biological process is that it helps the farmers by reducing the need for nitrogen fertilizers and also reducing pollution by reducing the excess fertilizer run-off.
“It is interesting to study how the interaction between bacteria and plants leads to the development of an organ in the plant," Damodaran said.
Subramanian’s research is specifically focused on understanding the role of an important plant hormone called auxin and how it influences the development of these nodules in soybeans. Damodaran’s research has demonstrated that auxin is critical for proper nodule development. This knowledge is expected to optimize nodule formation and increase sustainable nitrogen supply in crops.
“Suresh is very bright, enthusiastic and self-driven and has been a pleasure to work with. His experiments have demonstrated a key role for local auxin regulation during soybean nodule formation. Suresh has trained several undergraduates in plant biology research and has been actively involved in general lab upkeep,” said mentor Sen Subramanian.
Damodaran holds a master’s degree in plant science and is currently pursing his doctorate in plant molecular biology at SDSU. He has received multiple awards for his research and presentations at various universities and conferences across the U.S. and is a contributor in four published journal articles which include:
1. Nizampatnam, N.R., Schreier,S.J., Damodaran, S., Adhikari, S. and Subramanian, S. The Plant journal: for cell and molecular biology, 84, 140-153.
2. Quantitative Amplification of Cleaved Ends (qACE) to assay miRNA-directed target cleavage [v1; ref status: approved with reservations 1, http://f1000r.es/4bx] F1000Research 2014, 3:240.
3. A Tiered Barcode Authentication Tool to Differentiate Medicinal Cassia Species in India. Purushothaman N., Newmaster SG., Ragupathy S., Stalin N., Suresh D., Arunraj DR., Gnanasekaran G., Vassou SL., Narasimhan D., Parani M. Genetics and molecular research. 2014, 13(2):2959-2968
4. Ectopic Expression of miR160 results in auxin hypersensitivity, Cytokinin hyposensitivity, and inhibition of symbiotic nodule development in soybean. Turner M., Nizampatnam NR., Baron M., Coppin S., Damodaran S., Adhikari S., Arunachalam SP., Yu O., Subramanian S. Plant Physiol. 2013, 162(4):2042-55
University
Connect with us
http://www.sdepscor.org
http://www.flickr.com/sdepscor
http://www.twitter.com/sdepscor
http://www.facebook.com/sdepscor
SD EPSCoR Office StaffDr. James A. Rice DirectorPhillip Huebner Director of STEM PartnershipsJill Dale Program AdministratorMj Powers Program AssistantDani Murray Communications Officer
UPCOMING EVENTS
Linking South Dakota’s Future to Science & Technology
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INTRODUCING... SD BIO NETWORKWho and what got you excited about your chosen STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) career? Is there something specific that inspired the choices you made that got you to where you are today?
The Sanford PROMISE and SD Biotech have teamed up with SD EPSCoR to create a network of educators and industries across South Dakota interested in enhancing and strengthening our future STEM workforce. As a member of the SD Bio organization, we want to invite you to join us as we develop this network.
Goals for this network and your involvement include:
• Create and share opportunities to directly influence and support young people in their search for a career match.
• Retain local talent to fill and create positions within and supporting your organization and industry.• Establish meaningful relationships with the schools and communities served by your organization.• Provide information and education to promote your organization and industry across the region.
Visit http://sdepscor.org/2016/join-today-sd-bio-network/ to learn more or email [email protected] to join today!
• 2017 Legislative Session Opens - Jan. 10, Pierre
• SDSTA Conference - Feb. 2-4, Huron• Legislative Poster Session - March 2, Pierre
• First Annual Entrepreneurial Boot Camp - Jan. 13, Rapid City
