EPSCoR Planning Grant

University Of Guam, Mangilao GU

Investigators

Abstract

The University of Guam (UOG) will coordinate a Region-wide planning effort that will include members of the U.S. Affiliated Pacific-territories of Guam, American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. freely associated states of Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Republic of Palau. By developing a science and technology (S&T) infrastructure, Guam and other U.S. Pacific Islands, will be able to address current economic and environmental challenges. The UOG is developing a plan to address education reform and research infrastructure improvement, both of which will impact and improve the Islands' S&T workforce. Within that plan, this project will support a regional planning effort to: (i) develop a priority list of coastal and marine research issues to be addressed through a Guam led EPSCoR RII Track I proposal; (ii) develop a second level list of scientific issues to be vetted by the Pacific Region Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (PacSTEM) Coalition for inclusion in the long-term PacSTEM S&T Plan; and (iii) partner with regional STEM education and outreach initiatives to add contemporary sustainability content and workforce development strategies to existing programs, and establish new certificates and AAS programs in coastal and marine sciences. The PacSTEM S&T Plan will determine the future science and engineering thrusts for Guam and the region in the years ahead and will play a critical role in establishing and implementing a long-term S&T framework. Intellectual Merit: The U.S. island associated states and territories of the Western Pacific are challenged by the extreme effects of climate change, population growth on Guam, and bio-security risks occasioned by these significant changes. Island sustainability is therefore a major regional and economic issue. UOG has scientific focus on marine resources, from ridges to reefs, and is an emerging university in the field for interdisciplinary, collaborative scientific research. By organizing S&T capacity-building around the coastal and marine research theme, popular and economic support will be generated within the community. It will also create lasting STEM career opportunities. Broader Impacts: This project has a high potential for broader impacts in the Western Pacific U.S. territories and affiliated states. This region is isolated, the infrastructure is underdeveloped, and the population is largely underrepresented and underserved in STEM. This project will allow UOG to lead the development of a regional S&T plan and develop a full proposal to improve the research infrastructure. These efforts will have significant impacts on Under Represented Minority (URM) groups, including Pacific Islanders. The proposal includes coordination between UOG and community colleges and other educational institutions on Guam and the partner islands.