Thirteen research projects have been selected for initial funding as part of the first joint collaborative effort between the Inland Northwest Research Alliance and the Department of Energy's Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory.
This research is oriented toward gaining a better understanding of subsurface conditions and various contaminants present at the INEEL site 50 miles west of Idaho Falls, as well as other Department of Energy facilities. The goal is to develop environmental cleanup methods that can be used in a variety of applications.
INRA funding for the projects will total about $3 million over three years and fund Ph.D. and postdoctoral researchers who will work on collaborative projects, and the various INRA member institutions will contribute another $1 million toward the success of the projects. These young researchers will spend time on their projects at the INEEL and at the various INRA institutions. These collaborative projects are designed to stimulate additional collaborations between the faculty at the INRA member institutions and the researchers at the INEEL, and to prepare a new work force for the INEEL.
"We hope to use these projects to help build the science base for the laboratory, as well as new funding opportunities for our institutions," says James Petersen, interim executive director of INRA.
The winning proposals include:
Seven universities formed the Inland Northwest Research Alliance (INRA) in the spring of 1999. The member universities include Boise State, Idaho State, University of Idaho, Montana State, University of Montana, Utah State and Washington State. INRA is a partner with Bechtel BWXT Idaho, the corporation responsible for managing and operating INEEL. The INEEL is a science-based, applied engineering national laboratory dedicated to supporting the U.S. Department of Energy's missions in environment, energy, science and national security. In its managing role, INRA will help set the direction for scientific research performed at INEEL.
"One of the objectives of INRA is to fund excellence," says Petersen. "This collaborative effort is a way to focus on the good science going on at the INEEL and the universities. These projects demonstrate how INRA is a benefit for the universities, INEEL and the region." The 13 projects were selected from 26 proposals received. They were peer reviewed by a panel of representatives from each INRA institution, three scientists from the INEEL and one scientist from the Department of Energy's Idaho Operations Office.
University Media Contacts:
Boise State University -- Janelle Brown, 208-426-1790, jbrown2@boisestate.edu
Idaho State University -- Glenn Alford, 208-282-3517, alfoglen@isu.edu
University of Idaho -- Bill Loftus, 208-885-7694, bloftus@uidaho.edu
Montana State University -- Annette Trinity-Stevens, 406-994-2891, annettet@montana.edu
Utah State University -- 435-797-1358, lynnette@media.usu.edu
Washington State University -- Hugh Imhof, 509-335-4528, imhof@wsu.edu