Biological Sciences

Undergraduate Bachelor Programs

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Department Grants

Our Commitment to Empowering Students

Throughout our history, the Biological Sciences department at Mount Saint Mary’s University has successfully sought and received numerous grants from a wide variety of sources. From private donations to prestigious federally funded grants, we empower students and scholarly success by creating scholarship opportunities, supporting student research, elevating classroom innovation, establishing STEM mentorship programs, and more.

Additionally, our ongoing partnerships with other Southern California educational institutions – including USC, UCLA, and Loyola Marymount University – provide our students the opportunity to conduct research across a wide array of topics.

Current Grants

Optimizing Peptide Inhibitors of Human Iapp Amyloidogenicity and Identifying their Effects on the Unfolded Protein Response System+-

NIH R15 AREA Grant
PI: Luiza Nogaj
In collaboration with Loyola Marymount University
$407,364 over 3 years (2019 – 2021)

Building Capacity to Increase Retention and Graduation Rates of Women in Undergraduate STEM Education+-

NSF IUSE/HSI Program
PI: Jen Chotiner
Co-PIs: Xiaomei Cheng, Paul Lee (Physical Sciences), Lance Skidmore (Mathematics)
$1.35 million over 5 years (2018 – 2023)

Collaborative Research: GP-EXTRA: Broadening Geosciences Preparedness Through Cross-Campus Experiential Partnership+-

NSF IUSE/Geopaths Program
PI: Adriane Jones
Co-PI: Xiaomei Cheng
In collaboration with University of Southern California
$197,359 over 3 years (2017 – 2020)

Supporting Scholars to Succeed in STEM (S4) Program+-

NSF S-STEM: Broadening Participation & Institutional Capacity
PI: Afsane Arvand
$650,000 over 5 years (2016 – 2021)

Mount Saint Mary’s University Noyce Scholarship Program+-

NSF Track 1 Scholarships & Stipends
PI: Carol Johnston (Education)
Co-PI: Xiaomei Cheng
$1.2 million over 5 years (2016 – 2021)

Past Grants

Investigating the Link between IAPP Amyloidogenicity and Diabetes Propensity within the Animal Kingdom+-

NIH R15 AREA Grant
PI: Luiza Nogaj
In collaboration with Loyola Marymount University
$392,000 over 3 years (2016 – 2019)

Inhibition of Amyloidogenic Islet Amyloid Polypeptide Aggregation With Designed Combinatorial Peptide Libraries and Small Molecules+-

NIH R15 AREA Grant
PI: Luiza Nogaj
In collaboration with Loyola Marymount University
$300,506 over 3 years (2011 – 2014)

Improving STEM Curricula, Support & Articulation for Hispanic, Women and Low-Income Students+-

US Department of Education, Hispanic-Serving Institutions Title III STEM
PI: Leticia Rodriguez
$6.0 million over 5 years (2011 – 2016)

Screening of Biological and Synthetic Compounds for the Discovery of Novel Substances that Prevent Amyloid Formation +-

NIH R15 AREA Grant
PI: Luiza Nogaj
In collaboration with Loyola Marymount University
$164,161 over 3 years (2009 – 2011)

US Department of Education, Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions Title V STEM +-

PI: Jen Chotiner
$2.7 million over 2.5 years (2008 – 2013)

NIH Minority Access to Research Careers / Minority Opportunities in Research+-

Curricular Improvement Implementation Phase II – T36
PI: Sr. Annette Bower (2008 – 2012), Jen Chotiner (2007 – 2008)
$1.34 million over 5 years (2007 – 2012)

Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) Undergraduate Student Training in Academic Research (U-STAR)+-

NIH MARC U-STAR Grant
PD: Afsane Arvand (2009 – 2013), Deniz Cizmeciyan (2006 – 2009), Sr. Annette Bower (1991 – 2006)
Total estimated grant award: ~$8,659,000 over 18 years (1991 – 2009)