By Hazel Scott/ASU
Alabama State University’s College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (C-STEM) received an impressive $1,000,000 grant from the Department of War (DoW) to purchase a state-of-the-art Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), one of the most powerful analytical and advanced imaging instruments, enabling atomic-scale research capabilities.
“The acquisition of this new instrumentation elevates the research agenda and capacity for leading-edge research and development at ASU,” said Dr. Vida A. Dennis, director of the Center for NanoBiotechnology Research (CNBR) and professor of Microbiology, who serves as the program director/principal investigator (PD/PI).
Her team of expert scientists includes Drs. Emmanuel Tadjuidje, professor of Biology; Qiana L. Matthews, professor of Microbiology; and Rajnish Sahu, CNBR Postdoctoral Research Associate, serving as co-principal investigators (Co-PIs).
Helping faculty and students create groundbreaking discoveries, the new TEM will support work across multiple fields, including nanotechnology, tissue engineering, biology, forensic biology, cancer biology, immunology, mechanical engineering, physics, chemistry, microbiology, virology, parasitology, plant science, and entomology.
“The acquisition of this state-of-the-art equipment will directly enhance ASU students’ competitiveness by equipping them with advanced STEM skills for the next-generation workforce, thereby contributing to the DoW’s strategic goals of addressing the nation’s STEM workforce needs and increasing participation in STEM fields,” Dennis said.
Dennis highlighted the broader impact, explaining that outreach programs will introduce K-12 students to innovative technology, providing early exposure that shapes their skills, interests, and educational potential and inspiring future STEM careers.
The TEM is housed in the Bioimaging Core Research Facility within the Department of Biological Sciences and will be accessible to all STEM researchers at ASU, supporting collaboration and speeding high-impact scientific breakthroughs.
“With this new tool, ASU is poised to make significant strides in research and education, fulfilling the DoW’s vision of strengthening the nation’s STEM workforce,” Dennis said.