NSF Biology Integration Institute Grant

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded a $6.1 million Biology Integration Institute (BII) grant to a UA team of researchers (Dr. Ceballos, PI; Dr. Evans-White, coPI, Dr. Qingyang Zhang, coPI) to develop a UA Host-Virus Evolutionary Dynamics Institute (HVEDI) dedicated to research in virology and virus ecology.  HVEDI partner institutions include: University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (Dr. Buckner, coPI); University of Maine (Dr. Tan, coPI); La Universidad Interamericana de Aguadilla, Puerto Rico (Dr. Padilla, coPI); and Ouachita Baptist University (Dr. Reyna, coPI).  In addition to conducting cutting edge research in virology and virus ecology, HVEDI will provide training and engage in collaborative research with partner institutions across the nation.  HVEDI will also engage in outreach efforts across the state of Arkansas as well as in other NSF EPSCoR jurisdictions (e.g., Puerto Rico and Maine) providing K-12 science curriculum support, teacher-training workshops, and more through partnerships with organizations including the EAST Initiative, Dawson Educational Cooperative, and Upward Bound as well as institutions such as Ozark Catholic Academy.