Dr. Alex Walsh, assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Texas A&M University, has been awarded the Air Force's Young Investigator Research Program (YIP) grant.
The grant comes from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFSOR), which funds fundamental and basic science research as part of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). The objective of the program is to foster creative basic research in science and engineering, enhance early career development of outstanding young investigators and increase opportunities for the young investigators to recognize the Air Force mission and the related challenges in science and engineering.
“I am very excited to receive the award, both to work on this project and form relationships with the AFOSR/AFRL and with the other YIP winners,” Walsh said.
Walsh was awarded the grant for her planned research to study infrared light interactions with cells and what causes the light to impact neurons. This research could be used toward further understanding of how neurons communicate, brain-machine interfaces and medical devices impact neural activity.
“We need to fully characterize the effects of infrared light on cells before these applications can be developed,” Walsh said.
Walsh is one of 40 scientists and engineers to receive funding this year. Her three-year grant totals $450,000.
For more information on AFRL/AFOSR, visit the AFRL website.