2024 Presidential Interdisciplinary Research Seed Grants Awarded

Stephanie Hansen and Jodi McGill

Stephanie Hansen (right) and Jodi McGill. All image rights belong to original photographer.

The Iowa State University Office of the Vice President for Research has awarded $100,000 in 2024 Presidential Interdisciplinary Research Seed Grant program (PIRS) funding to support university scholars exploring novel approaches to genomics studies and metabolic dysfunction. Two teams were selected to receive $50,000 each over two years.

  1. Professor Young-Jin Lee and Professor Jeffrey Essner will use the funding to investigate mass spectrometry imaging as a tool to study the metabolic activity of zebrafish embryos. This research aims to understand gene expression and functions associated with specific organs and cells.
  2. Professor Stephanie Hansen and Associate Professor Jodi McGill will collaborate to study feedlot cattle as a model for human metabolic dysfunction and obesity. Their research will focus on the relationship between body fat, inflammation, and metabolic changes in cattle, aiming to fill gaps in traditional models and inform future therapeutic interventions for human metabolic diseases.

The PIRS program supports high-risk, high-reward interdisciplinary projects with strong potential for external funding.

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NSF LogoThis material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Award No.2242763