WMU News

Program aimed at finding research funding

June 21, 2000

KALAMAZOO -- A new program at Western Michigan University will help graduate students obtain the skills they need to find external financial support for their research activities.

Nine WMU students have been chosen to participate in the first Graduate Opportunity for Long-term Development (GOLD) Program established by The Graduate College at WMU.

The program, which began in May, seeks to increase external support for graduate student research by increasing students' awareness of external funding opportunities and assisting them in the process of searching and applying for grants.

Each GOLD Program participant will receive a $2,000 research account fund to be used for expenses related to seeking grants. In addition, there will be activities throughout the year that will facilitate the process of securing external funding for research, including training on how to find and apply for grants. GOLD Program awardees are required to participate in these activities and submit an application for external research support.

According to program organizers, these activities will make the participants more competitive on a national level as they seek professional employment.

Participants for the program were selected in open competition from applicants whose areas of research and scholarship are likely to receive external support. GOLD Program participants for 2000 and the research they will be involved with are:

John E. Daniels of Kalamazoo, a doctoral student in statistics who is researching the development of a statistical model to evaluate designated smoking areas and worker productivity;

Doris A. Dirks of Calgary, Alberta, a doctoral student in history who is studying consent and clandestine marriage in late medieval Barcelona, Spain;

Amy K. Goodwin of Kalamazoo, a doctoral student in behavioral psychology who is investigating the stimulus properties of hallucinogens in rats;

Katherine Holverstott-Cockrell of Kalamazoo, a doctoral student in school psychology who is studying the quality of behavioral intervention provided by child care centers;

John Landosky of Kalamazoo, a doctoral student in biological sciences who is studying the effects of elevated carbon dioxide levels on plants and ecosystems;

Emily MacDonald of Flint, Mich., a doctoral student in clinical psychology who is studying the effects of stimulant drugs on children diagnosed with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder;

Bridget Plamondon of Suttons Bay, Mich., a master's degree student in counselor education who plans to develop and implement an entrepreneur development program for Native American youth;

Dalene Rix of Kalamazoo, a doctoral student in political science who is researching the effects of state legislative term limits on the functioning of state legislatures; and

Kiesha Warren of Kalamazoo, a doctoral student in sociology who is studying the structure of the African-American family and its relationship to juvenile delinquency.

For more information, contact The Graduate College at (616) 387-3579.

Media contact: Marie Lee, 616 387-8400, marie.lee@wmich.edu


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