DETROIT – The establishment of the U.S.-Dutch Mass Spectrometry Consortium for advanced biological structure and imaging applications, led by Mary T. Rodgers, professor of Chemistry in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Wayne State University, was awarded by the National Science Foundation. This five-year, $2.5 million grant is a unique multicultural collaboration, which includes ten U.S. researchers from nine universities and researchers from two Netherlands-based institutions of the Dutch Foundation for the Fundamental Research on Matter.

Currently, Dutch facilities contain advanced equipment not available in the U.S. essential for continuing progress in analytical, biological and physical chemistry research. The project will center around one particular Dutch facility that houses a free electron laser for pin-point scanning and imaging experiments. Each U.S. participant will be able to use this instrument in his respective fields of interest.

The collaboration will also train 140 students of various academic levels to gain expertise in these state-of-the-art facilities, equipment and experiences otherwise non-existent in the U.S. In addition, a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program will support six undergraduates each year at the Dutch facilities for exclusive training and exposure to developments in Dutch and European research. Inviting minority students from, but not exclusive to, Wayne State will be emphasized.

“This collaborative grant is an excellent example of the great strengths that Wayne State University’s Department of Chemistry has,” said Dr. Gloria Heppner, associate vice president for Research at WSU. “Dr. Rodgers and this exciting project showcase the importance of collaborative research and invaluable research opportunities for undergraduates, which is critical in today’s learning environment,” Heppner added.

Wayne State University is one of the nation’s pre-eminent public research universities in an urban setting. Through its multidisciplinary approach to research and education, and its ongoing collaboration with government, industry and other institutions, the university seeks to enhance economic growth and improve the quality of life in the city of Detroit, state of Michigan and throughout the world.