Funded Research

• V. W. Griffis (PI), “CAREER: Flood Risk Projections with Climatic Variation and Human-Induced Shifts in Hydrologic Response,” 1 May 2011 – 30 April 2018, National Science Foundation, Earth and Atmospheric Research (EAR), Award No. 1053655, $400,910.

The overall goals of this CAREER development project are: (1) to develop a strong research program focused on gaining a deeper understanding of the relative impacts of climatic variation and anthropogenic activities on current and future flood risk; (2) to integrate research and educational experiences of students at high school, undergraduate, and graduate levels; (3) to increase the number of students, particularly females, interested in pursuing careers and advanced degrees in science and engineering; and, (4) to increase K-12 student awareness to consequences of human activities on hydrological processes. The project provided mentoring and funding to six undergraduate student researchers (50% female), and seven graduate students (5 MS/2 PhD; 57% female).

• K. Paterson (PI), V. W. Griffis, D. Watkins, “Developing Global Engineers and Scientists Through Collaborative Technology Innovation for Public Health Improvements in Tanzania,” 01 July 2009 – 31 December 2012, National Science Foundation, Office of International Science and Engineering (OISE), Award No. 0854050, $145,468.

The overall goal of this project is to identify appropriate technologies to solve Tanzanian public health issues connected to potable water supplies, sanitation, indoor air pollution, and malaria.  This project provides international research opportunities for Michigan Tech graduate students (10 weeks on site) who are partnered with engineering students of the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.  Roughly 90% of the project funds have been used to provide travel and on-site support for 22 graduate students (68% female; 14% ethnic/racial minority).  Dr. Griffis’ role as a co-PI involved annual review of program applicants and cohort selection in the fall of each program year, as well as assistance in defining student projects and travel preparations during weekly meetings of the PIs/students throughout the spring/early summer of each project year.

• J. Perlinger (PI), V. W. Griffis, K. Paterson, A. Mayer, “Graduate Student Scholarships to Advance a Global Outlook of Economic and Social Prosperity that Protects the Environment,” 15 June 2008 – 31 May 2012, National Science Foundation,Scholarships in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S‐STEM) program, Award No. 0806569, $599,987.

Goals of the project included recruiting and retaining students in STEM fields, the creation of a nontraditional flow of knowledge between Ph.D. and M.S. students, and the promotion of peer mentoring between Ph.D. and M.S. students via participation in sustainability focused team projects.  The project provided a total of 37 one-year scholarships (38% female; 5% ethnic minority) to an integrated community of graduate students who were educated in the economic, social, and environmental pillars of sustainability; faculty advisors not previously engaged in sustainability research were also impacted by working with the scholars.  Roughly 93% of the project funds were used to provide scholarships and travel opportunities for students.  Dr. Griffis’ roles as co-PI were to aid in annual review of program applicants and cohort selection, as well as recruitment efforts targeted at students of Puerto Rican universities.  Dr. Griffis also served as faculty advisor to two M.S./Ph.D. teams working on projects related to development of appropriate methods for flood risk assessment in developing countries and/or data-poor regions.