It is widely rumored that, three professors from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University have been honored with the 2023 Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) Medtronic Research and Development Program Award. Laquanda Johnson, Stephen Knisley, and Ali Salman were selected for their innovative research in STEM, medical technology, and business.
The TMCF Medtronic Research and Development Program Award aims to support ideas and solutions in these fields at historically black colleges and universities. Each year, five grants of $40,000 are awarded to faculty members at TMCF member schools who propose innovative academic support programs or enhanced academic-related innovation on campus or in the community. The program also encourages creative ideas for capacity development in areas aligned with Medtronic.
Laquanda Johnson plans to use his grant to fund the Underrepresented College Business and Engineering Drone Training Intensive. This eight-week virtual drone bootcamp will provide college students with valuable skills in drone technology. At the end of the program, students will take their FAA remote pilot certification exam. The goal is not only to enhance their skill set but also to make them more marketable as they enter their respective career fields.
Stephen Knisley’s grant will support the National Institutes of Health’s Houston Observation Program. This bioengineering initiative allows junior-level students in the bioengineering bachelor’s program to visit a hospital in Houston during the summer of 2024. They will spend several weeks shadowing doctors and observing medical procedures that can inspire new design solutions. Upon returning, they will present their observations to their senior design class, where teams will work together on designing solutions based on these real-world experiences.
Ali Salman’s grant will fund the Smart and Connected Health Research and Teaching Laboratory at North Carolina A&T State University. This interdisciplinary lab aims to leverage recent technological advances such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things (IoT) to drive innovation, education, and research in health sciences and technology. Undergraduate and graduate students, as well as faculty, will have access to the lab, where they can collaborate, develop new methods, and publish their work. The ultimate goal is to create efficiency and quality in healthcare for underrepresented communities.
These grants not only provide funding for these innovative projects but also pave the way for future progress. By demonstrating the success of their initiatives, the professors can seek additional funding from other sources to further support their students’ education and research endeavors.
It’s worth noting that Medtronic is the sole funder of these grants. This partnership with TMCF reflects Medtronic’s commitment to promoting diversity in STEM education and career development by expanding access to opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds.
Astonishingly, these awards highlight the dedication of North Carolina A&T State University professors to pushing boundaries in STEM, medical technology, and business research. Through their innovative programs and initiatives, they are preparing students for successful careers while addressing critical needs in their respective fields.
To learn more about these grants and the impactful work being done at North Carolina A&T State University, please visit the source: North Carolina A&T(https://www.ncat.edu/news/2023/10/tmcf-medtronic-rd-award.php).
