This National Science Foundation Project Grant award of $534,617 provides funding for Western Washington University to acquire a micro-computed tomography scanner to support interdisciplinary research and education. The scanner will be used by at least 10 faculty across five departments in fields such as geosciences, anthropology, and materials science to advance research projects exploring topics like volcano dynamics, primate evolution, and ocean acidification effects. It will also complement existing scanning electron and Raman microscopes as part of a micro-imaging core facility. The scanner is expected to see particularly heavy usage for questions in geosciences, anthropology, and materials science. As an predominantly undergraduate institution with many first-generation and students of color, the scanner will also support education and diversity through student-led research and integration into courses, including developing a new micro-CT course. This award falls under the National Science Foundation's Integrative Activities program, which provides $534k to enhance research competitiveness and broaden participation in STEM. The scanner will be operated by trained Ph.D.-level staff and acquired by September 1, 2022, with completion by August 31, 2023.
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