Date: November 26, 2008
Contact: Carol Connelly, Director, Media & Communication Services, ext. 5267, cconnelly@pnc.edu

PNC College of Science Interdisciplinary Research Center

Westville – The newly created Purdue University North Central College of Science Interdisciplinary Research Center (CSIRC) has brought together a broad scope of academic experts who are willing to lend their expertise to the regional community to help answer questions, assist research initiatives and aid in resolving important issues.

The CSIRC is dedicated to advancing basic and applied collaborative science in Northwest Indiana and it is envisioned that the CSIRC will become the place “Where Real Problems Find Academic Solutions.”

The CSIRC brings together PNC faculty members in areas such as Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Statistics, Physics and Nursing, who are ready to partner with people in the community to provide collaborative research.

PNC, as part of Purdue University - Indiana 's land-grant institution – is charged with the mission to further “learning, discovery and engagement.” Thus, PNC is available as a resource to the local community and will do what it can to help it become a better place to live, work and learn.

The CSIRC is now accepting submissions of research ideas and proposals from local individuals, businesses and organizations. These will be reviewed by the CSIRC board. The submission will include an in-depth description of the question or project to be addressed, the anticipated benefits or risks, its anticipated cost and the reason for the project itself.

If the submission is accepted, the CSIRC will identify qualified, unbiased academic professionals with the appropriate professional background and abilities to take on the project.

The CSIRC may also help to fund or develop funding sources that many people in the community may not be aware of, or be able to access. The CSIRC also has created an endowment fund, and as that endowment grows, so will the research possibilities.

Many PNC faculty members are actively involved in research that has already had a positive impact the community. In addition, PNC students have been involved in research or service learning projects that have benefited many in the community. The CSIRC will enhance this long-standing academic commitment to research and community involvement.

CSIRC projects may include - but not be limited to - the areas of:

•  Educational Enhancement (this includes program development, internship and service-learning opportunities)

•  Ecological Issues (Habitat analysis, restoration, management)

•  Healthcare Solutions (Research modeling, data interpretation)

•  Statistical Analysis (Commercial and medical analysis).

For further information about the CSIRC, directions on how to submit ideas or projects for review, or to know more about the endowment to fund research activities, contact the College of Science at 219-785-5736, or visit: http://www.pnc.edu/academics/cs.html

 

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