I have received funding for my research at ACU through several internal grants (which meets departmental criteria for Tenure and Promotion). I am honored that I was awarded a Pursuit Grant every year that I have applied. There are so many deserving research projects at ACU, and I am humbled to have been chosen four times.
The financial support given to me has helped me to establish a strong microbial genetics research program. I have been able to buy small pieces of equipment (pipettors and freezer boxes), consumable products (Petri dishes and DNA extraction kits), specialized DNA (DNA primers and vectors) and pay for services, such as DNA sequencing. Whenever I can convince the different granting entities to roll over my personal stipend into research expenses, I do. Molecular microbiology can be expensive. I enjoy having a larger research budget for my students and myself to do good science.
Furthermore, the funding has also allowed me to work with students who also needed a small income. A bright student had approached me to work in my lab for the summer. She said she did not have to be paid. She thought the experience was worth it despite the lack of monetary compensation. A few months later I learned that I received an internal grant to pay this student a summer stipend. When I told her she started crying tears of joy. She told me how her dad had lost his job two weeks before, and up until that point she was not sure if she would be able to do summer research. She went on to do research with me that summer and for several years and became a very good mentor to newer lab members.
Below is a list of the funding that I was awarded in reverse chronological order.
2016-2017 GRANT YEAR: “Survey of Microorganisms Found in Sorcerer’s Cave in Terrell County, Texas”
Math-Science Grant – $4200
- Faculty stipend – $2,500
- Expenses – $1,700
Office of Undergraduate Research – $2000
- Summer Student Stipend – $2,000
- Expenses – $300
2015-2016 GRANT YEAR: “Survey of Microorganisms Found in Sorcerer’s Cave in Terrell County, Texas”
Pursuit Research Funding Total – $3,000
- Student research stipends – $2,000
- Expenses – $1,000
Math-Science Grant – $3000
- Faculty stipend – $2,500
- Expenses – $500
Office of Undergraduate Research – $2000
- Summer student research stipend – $2,000
Pursuit Travel Grant – $1350
- Wooliscroft, J. T. and Huddleston, J. R. (2016, April 9). Antibiotic resistance and biosynthetic potential of microbes isolated from Sorcerer’s Cave, Texas. Oral presentation at Alpha Chi National Convention. Alpha Chi National College Honor Society, Alexandria, VA.
2014-2015 GRANT YEAR: “Continuing the investigation of genes responsible for natural genetic transformation of members of the bacterial genus Aeromonas“
Pursuit Research Funding – $8,000
- Faculty stipend – $2,500
- Student research stipends – $4,000
- Expenses – $1,500
Pursuit Travel Grant – $2000
- Clemons, K. N. and Huddleston, J. R. (2015, June 2). Investigation of the roles of clp genes in the natural transformation ability of Aeromonas salmonicida. Poster presentation at ASM (American Society for Microbiology) 2015 General Convention, New Orleans, LA.
Office of Undergraduate Research Travel Grant – $775
- Used for students to present research at the Texas ASM Spring Meeting in New, Braunfels Texas
2013-2014 GRANT YEAR: “Continuing the investigation of genes responsible for natural genetic transformation of members of the bacterial genus Aeromonas“
Pursuit Research Funding – $7,500
- Faculty stipend – $2,500
- Student research stipends – $4,000
- Expenses – $1,000
Pursuit Travel Grant – $450
- Used for students to present research at the Texas ASM Spring Meeting in New, Braunfels Texas
Office of Undergraduate Research Travel Grant – $200
- Used for students to present research at the Texas ASM Spring Meeting in New, Braunfels Texas
2012-2013 GRANT YEAR: “Investigation of genes responsible for natural genetic transformation of members of the bacterial genus Aeromonas”
Pursuit and Research Funding Total- $3,500
- Faculty stipend – $500
- Student research stipend – $2,000
- Expenses – $1,000
Math-Science Grant – $4500:
- Faculty stipend – $3,500
- Expenses – $1,000
Office of Undergraduate Research Summer Student Stipend – $2,000
Women for ACU – $1,700
- Equipment for Research Lab “B”
- Josh Brokaw and I submitted proposals for equipment for the B Lab. The department was awarded this money.