Kavita Mittapalli, PhD on LinkedIn: #epscor #climateresilience #agriculture #machinelearning #citizenscience (2024)

And, it’s a wrap! We’ve had an incredible and productive summer with our fantastic interns: Samantha Fitzer, M.S., Lilith Mizoe, and Marshall Young, MBA. From the moment they joined our team in May, they’ve dived into a range of evaluation work for grants funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), U.S. Department of Labor/Employment Technical Assistance, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA)/U.S. Department of Commerce, United States Department of Defense – STEM, the U.S. Department of Education, Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, and UnitedHealth Group bringing creativity, energy, fresh ideas and perspectives, and a strong work ethic.We’re happy to share that Samantha and Andrew have decided to stay on a bit longer to finish their projects and even tackle some new data challenges (oops, work!). Their commitment and passion have truly impressed us and we’re excited to see what more they will accomplish.Lilith Mizoe, we will miss you, but we’re so proud of everything you’ve achieved during your time with us. Your contributions are remarkable and we’re confident that the skills and experience you’ve gained will serve you well in your future endeavors.To all three of you, a sincere thank you for being a part of our journey this summer. We’ve enjoyed watching you work and contribute in very meaningful ways. We wish you nothing but the best and hope this experience has not only prepared you for the workforce but also inspired you in your career paths ahead.

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It took 2 years to be able get to this big moment. (A nice birthday present this week.)Washington University in St. Louis has just been awarded a massive $26 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to lead the Carbon Utilization Redesign for Biomanufacturing-Empowered Decarbonization (CURB) Engineering Research Center. As the external evaluator for this prestigious new center, we've been working hand-in-hand with the CURB team (see the amazing research development stars): Summer Young, Nicole Moore, and Jessica Venable over the past two years to help make this ambitious initiative a reality. We're beyond thrilled to be part of this powerhouse collaboration of top universities- , University of Delaware, and industry leaders including BioSTL who are going to transform manufacturing to achieve zero or even negative carbon emissions! The CURB ERC is one of only a handful of these coveted NSF-funded centers awarded nationwide in 2024. Since the program began in 1985, the NSF has funded 75 of these innovation powerhouses, leading to over 240 spinoff companies, 900 patents, and 14,400 degrees awarded to ERC students. These centers bring America's top engineering minds together to tackle our toughest challenges and deliver major economic and societal benefits.The CURB ERC is on a mission to establish a vibrant global research and innovation ecosystem that will revolutionize U.S. manufacturing by capturing and reusing carbon dioxide emissions. The team will advance groundbreaking science, build pilot facilities, and develop new educational programs to make this vision a reality. This is a massive investment in research and innovation that demonstrates Washington University's strategic vision and ability to tackle pressing challenges head-on. You can read more about this very exciting initiative in the Washington University source article: https://lnkd.in/eF5icY8uAs the external evaluator, our team will play a crucial role in tracking the center's progress, impact, and effectiveness in achieving its ambitious decarbonization goals. We can't wait to support this game-changing initiative and be part of the solution to the climate crisis through cutting-edge manufacturing innovation. 🌍Huge congrats to the CURB ERC team on this incredible accomplishment! Let's go transform the future! 🎉 #biotechnology #nsf #engineeringCc Center director, Joshua Yuan and the extraordinary teams at Texas A&M, UDelaware, and Praire View A&M. PS-I received the news while driving to NJ today for a site visit. Had to wait until I reached my room. And it’s not too common to be sharing the stage with the very distinguished RDOs who also somehow happen to be of the same height as me. 😁 What an honor and privilege to know and work with these brilliant minds. 🙌🏼This is our 2nd ERC evaluation. CASFER: Center for Advancing Sustainable and Distributed Fertilizer Production being the first.

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The third time's the charm, right!? After two previous attempts of trying to partner on other opportunities, MN Associates, Inc. is glad to finally join forces with Virginia Tech on a groundbreaking National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded CIVIC project! The Civic Innovation Challenge (CIVIC) is a research and action competition that accelerates the transition to the practice of foundational research and emerging technologies into communities through civic-engaged research.Read more about CIVIC grants here: https://lnkd.in/eTkvfjD8The VT team is tackling urgent water quality issues in Virginia's Occoquan Reservoir—a vital drinking water source for up to 1 million people in Northern Virginia.🔬 Project Highlights: – Implementing an innovative “One Water” approach to integrate and optimize water management across the region – Addressing cascading water quality challenges with advanced solutions – Utilizing state-of-the-art modeling technology to predict and mitigate risks.🤝 Community Involvement: The VT team will actively engage local communities and practitioners through interviews, focus groups, and workshops, co-creating solutions and promoting collaborative governance.📊 MNA's Role as the External Evaluator: We're committed to driving the project’s success with a comprehensive evaluation strategy: – Front-end: Crafting detailed logic models and refining timelines/benchmarks to ensure clear direction – Formative: Continuously evaluating the usefulness of project activities and offering recommendations for improvement – Summative: Monitoring and assessing outcome benchmarks and gathering insights through surveys, interviews, and focus groups.Read about One Water here: https://lnkd.in/ewY4rc5nPersistence pays off, and we're proud to finally partner with Virginia Tech on this vital research, ensuring the transition of cutting-edge modeling technology that’s not only scientifically robust but also relevant, credible, and valuable to all stakeholders.This time, we’re making it count—together, we're shaping a more integrated and equitable future for urban water management! 🌍💧cc: Stanley Grant and his exceptional team!!

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So, the summer Olympics has come to an end, and I find myself reflecting on the much-needed break they provided from the current socio-political climate, allowing me to focus on something special: finishing a small blanket made from soft mohair yarn using the corner-to-corner (C2C) crochet stitch. Mohair, derived from angora goats, is a remarkable fiber known for its softness, strength, and durability. The blanket's light, airy texture offers incredible warmth.Every stitch of this blanket was a labor of love, and as I now prepare to gift wrap it for a friend’s new grandchild, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of fulfillment. There’s something uniquely rewarding about creating something by hand, knowing it will bring comfort and warmth to someone for years to come.Tomorrow, it's back to work, but I’m grateful for the time spent on this small project. It’s a reminder of the joy that comes from focusing on simple, meaningful tasks, especially in times when the world feels overwhelming and even twisted. This experience has been both refreshing and grounding, and I hope the blanket brings as much joy to its new home as it did to me while making it.

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Southside Virginia Community College (SVCC) has been awarded a $2.1 million Title III Part A Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP) grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Title III grants are essential and transformative for institutions like SVCC, as they provide critical funding to enhance educational infrastructure and support systems, ultimately making higher education more accessible and equitable for all students.This funding will enable SVCC to implement targeted intervention systems for student groups that need additional support to succeed, while also significantly expanding its student services infrastructure. These enhancements are expected to drive future enrollment growth and improve student outcomes across the board.Over the next five years, SVCC will focus on two major activities:1. Enhancing First-Year Student Success: This will include a strong emphasis on first-year advising, success coaching, career exploration, financial literacy, and professional development for faculty advisors.2. Improving Support for Online Students: The college will ensure that remote learners receive the same enrollment and advising services as on-campus students.With this grant, SVCC is committed to ensuring that students in all learning formats and from diverse backgrounds have access to the resources they need for success. This initiative marks a significant step forward in fulfilling that commitment.As one of 23 community colleges within the Virginia Community College System, SVCC serves a region that includes one small city and spans ten rural counties. The college offers a wide range of associate degrees, workforce development programs, dual enrollment opportunities for high school students, adult basic education, and transitional services for non-traditional students.MN Associates, Inc. (MNA) is very happy to serve as the grant evaluator for this transformative initiative! cc: Daryl Minus, Ed.D.

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Why Your Evaluation Report Shouldn’t Put People to Sleep: Lessons from SnoopyI came across this Snoopy cartoon over the weekend on Facebook, and it got me thinking. Ever handed in a report only to hear that it’s unbelievably boring? If so, Snoopy feels your pain. He fell asleep writing his! But let’s be real—nobody wants their hard work to be snooze-inducing.A boring report can undermine all the effort you've put into gathering data and drawing insights. If your audience falls asleep reading it, they’ll miss the critical findings and recommendations you’ve laid out. To keep your readers awake and engaged, here are some tips for crafting a readable and compelling evaluation report.Key Parts of an Evaluation Report1. Executive Summary- Provide a concise overview of the main findings and recommendations. It’s the elevator pitch of your report—make it punchy!2. Introduction- Set the stage by explaining the purpose of the evaluation, the objectives, and the methodology.3. Findings- Present the data and insights you’ve gathered. Be clear and organized, highlighting key points.4. Conclusions- Summarize what the findings mean in the context of your objectives.5. Recommendations- Offer actionable steps based on the findings.6. Appendices- Include detailed tables, charts, and any additional data that supports your main points.Just like a good story, your report needs to be engaging. Here’s how:- Clear Writing- Use simple, straightforward language. Avoid jargon and complex sentences.- Headings and Subheadings- Break the text into manageable sections with descriptive headings.- Bullet Points and Numbered Lists-Make information easy to skim.- Short Paragraphs- Keep paragraphs short to maintain readability.- Visuals- Incorporate data visualizations, such as charts, graphs, and tables, to illustrate key points clearly. A picture is worth a thousand words, and it’s less likely to put your readers to sleep!Effective data visualization is a game-changer. Use tools like:- Tables- Present data neatly, making it easy to compare figures.- Graphs and Charts- Highlight trends and patterns visually.- Infographics-Summarize complex information in a visually appealing way.Remember, an engaging report doesn’t just communicate findings; it tells a story. Make sure it’s one that your audience will remember—and stay awake for!

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Olympics fever 😅Without lenses and eye cover and wins a silver🥈! Turkish marksman #YusufDikec goes viral for a photo showing him competing in the 10-metre air pistol mixed team event at #Paris2024 yesterday’s. Well, it’s a sight to behold! Just google him. (Yes, he is now a meme.)This got me thinking about the world of field research. Imagine a novice researcher, equipped with all the latest tools and technologies, meticulously following protocols and guidelines. They’re like the marksman with all the gear—ready, prepared, and focused. They approach their work with caution, ensuring every step is documented, every variable accounted for. Their precision is commendable, much like a marksman with perfect form. I remember when I started conducting focus groups—I used to go in with two recorders, a notepad, two copies of the protocol, and a mountain of anxiety, worried about missing every conversation and response. It was all about capturing every detail and following the script to the letter.Now, picture an experienced researcher, someone like Yusuf Dikec, who dives into their work with a deep well of knowledge, experience, and intuition. They might not always have (or prefer) the latest gadgets or the most conventional methods, but their expertise and understanding of the field are their greatest assets. They navigate challenges with ease, much like a marksman competing without lenses, eye cover, or ear protection: actually I did spot yellow ear buds. It’s their experience that allows them to hit the mark, even under unconventional circ*mstances.In both cases, success is about hitting the target, but the paths they take maybe different. The novice relies on structure and guidance, while the experienced researcher draws from a wealth of past experiences, often thinking outside the box. Both are essential to the advancement of knowledge, each bringing their unique strengths to the table.So here’s to all the researchers out there, whether you're meticulously following every step or innovatively blazing new trails. And remember, sometimes it’s about trusting your instincts and aiming for the bullseye, even if you don’t (or may not ) have all the techie gear! 🥇🔬

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Why It's Important to Apply for Grants – Even When the Odds Are Super SlimAs we pass the halfway+ mark of the year, it's time to reflect on our grant - evaluation application marathon. So far, we've thrown our hats into the ring for over 25 proposals, fully aware that some of them might end up in the dreaded "thanks, but no thanks" pile. In reality, the success rate for many grants hovers around 30%. The truth: "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." Wayne Gretzky (NHL player from Canada) (and every grant writer ever) couldn't have said it better. If we don't apply, we've got a zero percent chance of winning. Applying for grants is like playing the lottery – but with better odds and a lot more paperwork. Every grant application is a learning experience, a chance to refine our pitches, and an opportunity to remind ourselves why we love this (sometimes crazy) process. Remember, "You cannot win if you do not play." So, we're here to play, and play we shall!Think of it like the Olympics. Athletes train for years, knowing there's no guarantee they'll win a medal. But they show up, give it their all, and sometimes, they achieve greatness. Other times, they get valuable experience and motivation to come back stronger. Our grant applications are our Olympic events. We're competing, refining our skills, and getting better with each attempt.Sure, many of our proposals might not secure funding, but each one brings us a step closer to that elusive jackpot. It's like fishing: sometimes you reel in a big one, and sometimes you just enjoy the peace and quiet (okay, maybe not so much quiet) 😊So, as we sail through the rest of the year, let's keep casting our lines, applying for grants with the knowledge that every effort counts. Our persistence will eventually pay off, and when it does, we'll be celebrating like we just found a golden ticket in a chocolate bar.Keep the faith, keep applying, and remember – the grant gods mostly favor the bold!PC- taken during my recent trip to the great city of Atlanta.

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🎆 Sparks flew as over 80 forward-thinking faculty members from more than 30 HBCUs gathered at the glitzy Serendipity Labs in Buckhead, Atlanta, for a groundbreaking 2-day AI in Education Symposium. Supported by mega companies and organizations including the Mastercard Foundation, The Coca-Cola Company, SAP Microsoft, UnitedHealthcare and the National Science Foundation (NSF), this dynamic event a part of the ongoing efforts of the AUCC at the illustrious Clark Atlanta University, united academia and industry professionals to explore how faculty can be AI-ready, embed AI in their curriculum successfully, and cultivate critical thinking among students.💡 Key Takeaways:- AI Readiness: Faculty members were empowered with insights on integrating AI tools and technologies into their teaching practices, preparing themselves and their students for a future driven by artificial intelligence.- Curriculum Integration: Interactive sessions, poster presentation, and panel discussions provided practical strategies for embedding AI into various disciplines, ensuring that students gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies.- Industry Insights: Leading industry professionals shared their perspectives, highlighting the latest trends and innovations in AI. These valuable insights are crucial for aligning educational outcomes with industry needs.- Collaborative Learning: The symposium emphasized the importance of learning from each other. Faculty members exchanged ideas, good practices, and success stories, fostering a collaborative environment that will continue to thrive long after the event.Together, everyone is shaping the future of education, equipping students with the skills they need to think critically and innovate in an AI-driven world.Kudos once again to the visionary, fearless superstar, and exceptionally multi-talented Dr. Talitha Washington and her very hardworking team members who made this happen. 🙌🏼#AIinEducation #HBCUInnovation #HBCUs #FutureReady #CriticalThinking #datascience #AI #HigherEd #machinelearning

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