Biochemistry Professor Awarded National Science Foundation Grant

February 4, 2005

Ellis Bell, Gottwald Professor of Chemistry at the University of Richmond, has been awarded a two-year $314,842 grant from the National Science Foundation.

The grant will be used on his research project “The Role of Protein Dynamics in Catalysis and Subunit Cooperativity.” Bell is studying three enzymes that play central roles in protein, carbohydrate and fat metabolism.

The award will provide summer stipends for Bell as well as for undergraduate students involved in the project, both from Richmond and Virginia State University. The grant also provides support for equipment, supplies and travel to professional meetings for the students.

The research project is “fully integrated into the education of undergraduates,” Bell said. “Students work on individual research projects, take laboratory courses with the research embedded into the course or may take a research-based course for non-science majors.”

Students also are involved in the design of experiments, conduct of the research and data analysis and presentation. Students beginning in their first year often follow the research for two or three years. They also participate in outreach to area elementary schools.

NSF has approved the project for an additional three years of funding, for a five-year total of $675,428 for Bell’s research depending upon progress on the project and the availability of funds.