MACON – Mercer University professor Dr. Arthur Salido, assistant professor of chemistry in Mercer University’s College of Liberal Arts, was recently awarded a grant from the National Science Foundation’s “Course, Curriculum, and Laboratory Improvement” program. Totaling $102,000, the grant will purchase an Inductively-Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICPOES), a cutting-edge instrument used in determining metals in samples and investigating air and water contamination.
The ICPOES will be used by the Chemistry Department and will be also available for the Environmental Science and Environmental Engineering departments at Mercer. In addition to Mercer students using this new equipment in their lab work, the Chemistry Department will invite groups of local high school science students to work with it.
“This project will also promote collaboration between Mercer undergraduates and local high school students,” explained Salido. The addition of the ICPOES enhances Mercer’s relationship with the local school system by offering opportunities for high school students to get involved at the college level.
In applying for the grant, Salido submitted a 50-page proposal, which included contributions from Dr. Ajaz Karim, assistant professor of Environmental Science, and Dr. Andre Butler, associate professor of Environmental Engineering. “After several years working on this proposal, I am excited to be awarded NSF funding. I believe that this grant will promote Mercer’s commitment to community outreach, student learning, and scholarship.” Salido said.
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