UA scientists get grant for oil cleanup research
USA Today (Associated Press) – June 8
Two University of Alabama scientists will use a federal grant to conduct research into using organic materials to help clean up the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. Behzad Mortazavi and Patty Sobecky, microbiologists working out of Tuscaloosa and the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, say they hope to use organic matter to boost the metabolic rate of microbes that naturally attack oil. Previous laboratory research has shown that the process can more than triple the rate at which oil degrades. Mortazavi said Monday it’s never been widely applied in the field. He says the goal is to apply it on a small scale within the next year in coastal marshes. The two have been given a $125,000 Rapid Response Research grant from the National Science Foundation for the project.
Birmingham News – June 8
Enterprise Ledger – June 8
ABC 33/40 (Birmingham) – June 7
Select students from across Madison County prepare for AP classes
WAFF.com (Huntsville) – June 8
A select group of high school students from Huntsville City and Madison County Schools began CollegeFirst, a nationally unique summer enrichment program designed to better prepare students for the challenge of college-level Advanced Placement courses in math and science…Nineteen Impact Alabama staff and 24 college students from UAHuntsville and the University of Alabama will lead these high school sophomores and juniors through three weeks of rigorous curriculum, including advanced math lessons and biology and chemistry labs…”Believing that all high-school students deserve an opportunity to succeed in rigorous, college-level experiences, this initiative provides successful college and graduate students as both tutors and mentors, helping increase the number of area students who will be ready, not only to attend college, but to excel in college,” said Stephen Black, president of Impact Alabama…