Oklahoma State University scores big with 2019 OCAST grant funding

Wednesday, August 7, 2019

Oklahoma State University received more than $1.3 million from the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST). Out of the 29 successful applicants for funding this year, 16 were OSU researchers, or companies owned by OSU alumni, working in health, applied research support and plant science.

OCAST is a state agency focused on the development, transfer and commercialization of technology. Each year, the organization funds innovative projects in industries critical to Oklahoma’s economy.

“Each of our programs was created with a goal of supporting science and technology R&D through facilitating collaboration between state government, universities, start-up companies and established large-scale firms to develop an entrepreneurial environment that supports technology-based economic development,” OCAST Director Michael Carolina said in a press release. “These projects reflect the outstanding research taking place around the state and demonstrate that Oklahoma science and technology is globally competitive.”

 

Successful OSU and affiliate projects include:

Oklahoma Health Research

Karina M. Shreffler — Enhancing Maternal-Fetal Bonding to Promote Healthy Pregnancies and Reduce Adverse Perinatal Outcomes

Nathaniel D. Jenkins — The Role of Genetic Polymorphisms on the Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Caffeine: Implications for Cardiometabolic Function

Josh Ramsey — Targeted Delivery of a Reactive Oxygen Species Generator for Treatment of Hormone Refractory Prostate Cancer

Yu Feng — Understanding the Effects of Sphero-Cylinder Drug Particle Shape to Enhance Small-Airway Drug Delivery for Better Emphysema Treatment Outcomes

 

Oklahoma Applied Research Support

Kedar Pai, Plasma Bionics LLC — Cold Atmospheric Plasma Device for Sterilization of Laparoscopic Instruments

Bhishma R. Sedai, MITO Material Solutions LLC — Novel Hybrid Nano-Additives with Improved Compatibility for Thermosetting Resins

Jamey D. Jacob, Vigilant Aerospace Systems — Validation of Radar-Based Detect-and-Avoid System

Ashish Ranjan, Pinnacle Animal Health LLC — Minimally Invasive Animal Sterilization

Yu Mao — Omniphobic Nano coatings for Liquid Repellent Fabrics

Arif Rahman, MaxQ Research — Development of Nano-Porous Recyclable Cellulose Thermal Insulation

Guolong Zhang, AltBiotics LLC — Small-Molecule Compounds as Novel Antibiotic Alternatives

 

Plant Science Research

Kristen Baum — Honey Bee Health and Crop Productivity Across a Gradient of Land Uses

Ming Yang — A New Leucine-Rich Repeat Receptor-Like Kinase in Stomatal Lineage Regulation

Charles Chen — Drought-Induced Global Changes of Chromatin Structure in Bread Wheat

Niels Maness — A System for Podophyllotoxin Production to Extract Value from Eastern Red Cedar

Gail Wilson — Managing Microbial Interactions for More Efficient and Resilient Bermuda Grass

 

MEDIA CONTACT: Harrison Hill | Research Communications Specialist | 405-744-5827 | harrison.c.hill@okstate.edu