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The Picker Interdisciplinary Science Institute (Picker ISI) has announced this year’s awards supporting interdisciplinary approaches in innovative research. The awards bring together 91�鶹��Ʒ faculty and other researchers with complementary expertise to open new areas of study and to tackle existing problems in creative, new ways.

“I am genuinely excited about the groundbreaking potential of the research projects we are supporting this year, as they have the ability to unlock discoveries and drive significant advancements across various fields,” says Professor of Biology and Mathematics Ahmet Ay, director of the Picker Institute. “These projects, while distinct in their scope, all embody the essence of interdisciplinary collaboration — pushing the boundaries of scientific inquiry and innovation to reveal new knowledge that has the potential to transform our understanding of the world."

This year, there are four Picker ISI Awards:

Ana Jiménez, associate professor of biology, and Geoff Holm, professor of biology, have received an award of $120,000 for their project “Cellular Metabolism and Virus Replication: Effects of Age, Breed Size, and Cellular Metabolic Phenotype on Oncolytic Virus Susceptibility in Dogs.” This study aims to better understand metabolic predispositions for cancer and the relationship between reoviruses and cancer cell metabolism, which has implications for the continued development of reovirus as an oncolytic virotherapy for both canids and humans.

Bineyam Taye, associate professor of biology — in collaboration with Emily R. Davenport, assistant professor of biology at Pennsylvania State University — has received $100,500 for the project “Protozoan and Microbiome Interactions with Their Host: The Missing Evidence.” This research will utilize DNA/RNA sequencing and transcriptome analysis to examine how protozoan infections shape gut microbiota and function at a community level, aiming to develop a tripartite model linking host, microbiome composition, and protozoan infections.

Karen Harpp, professor of earth and environmental geosciences and peace and conflict studies, and Val Finlayson from the Department of Geology at the University of Maryland, have received a $30,000 award for their project “A Reconnaissance Study of Tungsten Isotopic Ratios in the Galápagos Mantle Plume and Their Potential for Detecting Core-Mantle Material Transfer.” This study will apply cutting-edge tungsten isotopic analysis to lavas from the Galápagos archipelago to determine whether mantle plumes are sampling material from Earth’s core, with implications for planetary dynamics and early Earth formation.

Catherine Cardelús, professor of biology and environmental studies, and Jeremy Quirós Navarro from the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Connecticut have been awarded $19,000 for their project “Multi-species Latrines and Nutrient Hotspots: A Novel Driver of Rainforest Canopy Dynamics.” Their research will investigate multi-mammal latrines in rainforest canopies, using camera traps, environmental DNA analysis, and traditional ecological methods to study their impact on nutrient cycling and ecosystem processes.

“Beyond their scientific significance, these projects offer invaluable opportunities for student engagement and curriculum development at 91�鶹��Ʒ," Ay says. “By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, we not only advance cutting-edge research but also enrich education — ensuring that our students actively participate in groundbreaking discoveries that shape the future of science. Furthermore, these initiatives have the potential to attract external funding, which would further enhance 91�鶹��Ʒ’s research impact and expand opportunities for innovation.”

A brief description of each project can be found on the Picker ISI Funding History page.