Alliance of Centers and Core Facilities for Research and Outreach
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CENTER
ESTABLISHED – 1981
DIRECTOR: MS. ELLA NUNN
PHONE: 713-313-7785
GOALS:
To foster economic growth and development throughout the Houston-Galveston area by developing viable
and effective community and economic development projects that provide sources and resources, technical
assistance and training to the small business sector, Houston’s inner-community organizations, and other
undeveloped sectors of the community such as the unemployed, underemployed, and the homeless.
PROJECTS:
Projects primarily emphasize and promote entrepreneurship, higher education, personal/career
development, neighborhood revitalization, technology and community involvement. The current projects
are (1) Skills-Training in Automatized Technology and Small Business Technical Assistance which provides
workshops and technical assistance for new and existing businesses; assessment of black businesses’
years of operation that are located within third ward, one of the targeted areas; computer skills with job
readiness training; GED/college preparation/intern positions; and funding for 2 HUD public housing
technology centers. The partnerships and collaborations in this project are Neighborhood Network,
Incorporated, Houston Community College System, and Jesse H. Jones School of Business MBA Group of
Texas Southern University; and (2) Homeownership Opportunities and Computerized Technology with
Technical Assistance to provide economic development to program participants located in the HoustonGalveston area on financial literacy education and preparation for homeownership; funding for creating and
equipping a computer technology center to be located within a housing center for senior citizens;
workshops on business planning and financial management; grant assistance for revitalization of up to
eight (8) minority businesses within the third ward area; career development in computer technology and
office administration; and GED/college preparation. The partnerships and collaborations included in this
project are TSU/EDC faculty team, William A. Lawson Institute of Peace and Prosperity, Houston
Community College System and Womack Development & Investment Realtors, Incorporated. Both
projects are funded by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
GERALD B. SMITH CENTER FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP & EXECUTIVE DEVELOPMENT
ESTABLISHED – 1998
DIRECTOR: TBA
PHONE 713-313-7977
GOALS:
The mission of the Gerald B. Smith Center for Entrepreneurship and Executive Development is to
encourage entrepreneurial thinking and action among students and faculty, to nurture students and faculty
to discover and develop new technological products and services, to create new organizations to
commercialize these products and services.
PROJECTS: Community Outreach Initiatives: Developing alliances with other university centers as well as local area
Citizen’s Chambers of Commerce, the Small Business Administration (SBA), SCORE “Counselors to
America’s Small Business”, and various Economic Development Center.
Student Led Initiatives: Sponsor of a Business Plan competition for business majors who compete for
cash prizes and the opportunity to participate in competitions at a national level. Developed an
Entrepreneurs Club was started Spring 2005 for all students. Members learn what it takes to start a
business, experience entrepreneurship through club projects, network with students and professionals
involved in entrepreneurship, participate in field visits, learn from guest speakers, enter business plan
competitions, participate in mentoring and shadowing programs with established entrepreneurs, and
participate in social, community, and university events.
Houston Technology Center Technology Partnership: Texas Southern University’s partnership with
the Houston Technology Center facilitates learning for TSU students through education and exposure to
companies involved in the areas of energy, information technology, life sciences, nanotechnology and
NASA.
Entrepreneurial Lecture Series: Successful entrepreneurs and business professionals discuss subjects
significant to entrepreneurs. These entrepreneurs discuss the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship
and give students advice on getting started, becoming successful and developing the business.
Council for Entrepreneurship: The Entrepreneurs Council serves as a resource for the students in the
area of entrepreneurship. Council members mentor students, provide networking opportunities and assist
in the development of entrepreneurial.
JPMORGAN CHASE CENTER FOR FINANCIAL EDUCATION
ESTABLISHED – 2003
DIRECTOR: GERMAINE GRAY
PHONE: 713-313-6877
GOALS:
To promote lifelong financial education through teaching, research and community outreach programs
and to contribute to an individual’s knowledge of personal finances, money management, credit
awareness and estate planning.
PROJECTS: Financial education module in freshman level business course. Seminars to raise awareness of JHJ
students on personal financial management are conducted each semester. Teacher train-the-trainer
workshops emphasizing personal financial management and economic education are held throughout the
academic year.
INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL AND IMMIGRATION LAW (IIIL)
ESTABLISHED: 2002
DIRECTORS: CRAIG L. JACKSON AND FERNANDO COLON-NAVARRO
PHONE: 713-313-1918
GOALS:
The Institute (IIIL) is dedicated to providing specialized academic and practical legal training for students
planning a career in international or immigration law. The Institute is dedicated to encouraging scholarly
research in the fields of international law and immigration law; therefore, IIIL prepares students for positions
with law firms practicing international or immigration law; U.S. government agencies, foreign governments,
private organizations, and foundations working to advance social and economic justice. The IIIL also provides
a scholarly atmosphere for the study of international and immigration law as well as a forum to discuss
problems facing those disciplines. The IIIL offers an extensive inventory of international law courses, including
but not limited to: International Litigation, International Tax, International Human Rights, Comparative Law,
International Law, Employment-Based Immigration, Criminal Law and Immigration, NAFTA, Family-Based
Immigration, Basic Mexican Business Law, Naturalization and Citizenship, Treaty Law as well as a Civil
Externship Clinic at the Consulate of Mexico, an Administrative Law Clinic: Immigration Law Concentration,
and the American and Caribbean Law Initiative, which is a Consortium dedicated to study comparative law
issues. The Institute also recognizes students who have demonstrated a deep interest and scholastic
achievement in the areas of international law or immigration law through its Certificate Program in International
and Immigration Law.
PROJECTS: Among the many scholarly programs of the Institute is the Genocide Prosecution Project. Under this project,
the Institute is planning to sponsor two programs involving the ad hoc tribunals hearing criminal cases on
episodes of genocide in the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda. The International Criminal Tribunal for the former
Yugoslavia Program, pending ABA approval, is scheduled to start in the summer of 2006. Tentative plans the
International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda program are being made with that program possibly starting in the
summer of 2007. Both programs will involve classroom study of international criminal law, the cases from
each tribunal, and the procedures for bringing cases to the tribunals. Students will attend tribunal hearings in
The Hague, Netherlands (where the Yugoslavia Tribunal meets) and Arusha, Tanzania (where the Rwanda
Tribunal meets).
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CENTER ON LEGAL PEDAGOGY
DIRECTORS: DONALD K. HILL AND DANNYE HOLLEY
ESTABLISHED – 1998
PHONE: 713-313-7392 OR 713-313-7388
GOALS:
The law school has historically participated in various teaching and learning processes that enhance legal
education for students from diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. The Center operates on the
presumption that, while the LSAT/GPA is a valid and genuine indicator of probable success in law school
studies, the indexes that are generated, are not indicators of intelligence, but are instead indicators of a
potential student's difficulties with analytical skills, and those skills are teachable. The Center has
developed a series of initiatives and educational programs to enhance the law school’s curriculum and
instruction, including pre-law programs (LEAP and Prep-for-Law), academic support programs, educational
workshops, and collaborative teaching and instructional projects with faculty members who teach courses
in first year (Property) and in second year (Criminal Procedure and Evidence) as well as with faculty
members who teach upper-level topical seminars (Jurisprudence). In addition to providing educational
support to deliver mentoring and advising programs to students, the Center has also implemented faculty
development forums to enable faculty members to share and impart teaching innovations, to encourage
research, and to foster scholarship.
PROJECTS:
The primary research aim of the Center is to investigate fundamental questions about how legal knowledge
is organized and how the cognitive processes that accompany legal knowledge develop with learning and
experience.
CENTER FOR MINORITY TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING FOR DISABILITY RESEARCH
DR. IRVINE E. EPPS - DIRECTOR
ESTABLISHED – 2003
PHONE: 713-313-7224
GOALS:
The Center’s overall objective is to bridge gaps in disability research and to use evidence based research to
address the unmet needs of minorities with disabilities. The Center for Minority Training and Capacity Building
for Disability Research and Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) Chronic Disease Prevention and Control
Research Center propose the development, implementation, and evaluation of a strong minority/majority
institutional collaboration to address training and research development for minorities interested in Vocational
Rehabilitation (VR) and disability research related to racial disparities. More specifically, the project develops
an innovative research infrastructure of institutional “cores” that partner a Historically Black College and
University (HBCU), TSU, with a majority research institution, BCM. The cores include: 1) the Administrative,
Planning and Evaluation Core, 2) the Training Core, 3) the Community Collaboration and Dissemination Core
and 4) the Research Core. Together, the partner institutions create a collaborative research infrastructure that
increase research capacity and help build an institutional research infrastructure at five additional HBCUs in
Texas. The Minority Scholars/Champions Research Training Project develops, implements, and evaluates the
effectiveness of a train-the-trainer “Scholar/Champion” model to facilitate increased and improved VR/disability
research among the targeted HBCUs. The Research Training Project gives promising minority junior
investigators at participating institutions the capacity to sustain VR/disability research careers. The project
builds upon the strengths and assets of both TSU and BCM in the development of a “best practices” model
that can be disseminated to other research institutions to increase minority participation in VR/disability
research.
PROJECTS: The center partners with communities and VR/disability agencies to engage individuals with disabilities in
research and training, using a model of Participatory Action-Oriented Research, and disseminate culturallysensitive information related to VR/disability research to community groups and agencies. The center
works with the HBCU Scholar/Champions to conduct innovative and rigorous pilot research projects as well
as write fully developed research proposals that address racial disparities in VR/disability research.
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UNIVERSITY COUNSELING CENTER
ESTABLISHED: 2005
DIRECTOR: MRS. HOLLY LEE-LIPKINS, MA, LPC, LCCA
PHONE 713-313-1113
GOALS:
To be of significant value to the TSU community and to be nationally recognized as a leader among
Counseling Centers, providing helping resources of the highest quality to enhance students' progress toward
the fulfillment of their personal development and the completion of their education. We strive to expand our
roles as helping professionals by being proactive and responsive to the changing needs of the growing and
diversifying student population, and to continue developing our services and training programs which meet
standards of excellence in our profession.
PROJECTS: The University Counseling Center seeks to provide crisis intervention, brief counseling, outreach, and referral
services to TSU University students. We also offer consultation, education, training, and prevention strategies
to faculty, staff, and the University community. An affiliate of the Counseling Center is the Alcohol and Other
Drug Prevention and Education Program. The Program serves as the primary campus office concerning
education, personal assistance, and information related to alcohol and other drugs. Staff is involved in
promoting and educating for low risk, healthy choices through campus outreach programs, classroom lectures,
and computerized programs. For qualified individuals, Services for Students with Disabilities offers specialized
services to meet those specific needs that are often required by students with disabilities, provides reasonable
accommodations to meet those needs of each student, and eases the matriculation process through TSU.
Additionally, the University Counseling Center is a practicum/internship site for selected individuals who
choose to extend their professional learning experience to an applied setting.
MICKEY LELAND CENTER ON WORLD HUNGER AND PEACE
ESTABLISHED – 1989
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR: MR. JEW DON BONEY
PHONE: 713-313-7370
GOALS:
To provide on going opportunities for dialogue, projects, programs and research by students and faculty
that increase awareness and understanding, leading to innovative projects and programs that address the
enduring critical problems of world hunger and peace; and to offer advanced leadership development
training to TSU students to prepare them to learn and lead in while providing a means to outreach to
today’s diverse global community.
PROJECTS:
Co-Sponsorship of Annual Intercultural Conference with the School of Communications and Annual
Summit on Public Policy and local, state and federal legislation in collaboration with the Earl Carl Institute
(TMSL), Development of International Study Abroad Programs for TSU students (MLIEP). Through the
Mickey Leland Congressional Internship Program (MLCIP) and the Texas Legislative Internship Program
(TLIP) the Leland Center provides undergraduate and graduate students intensive training and unique,
exposure as staff members to local, state and national government and elected officials, to increase the
number of graduates prepared and available to work in government and public service.
CENTER ON THE FAMILY
ESTABLISHED – 1990
INTERIM DIRECTOR: DR. NAN DELAFOSSE
PHONE: 713-313-7870
GOALS:
PROJECTS:
To offer opportunities for advancing and implementing multi- and interdisciplinary studies and research on
family life issues and to become the University’s vehicle for building public support and advocacy through
direct service provisions and comprehensive planning for crisis intervention.
Research and service efforts focus on life challenges of children, youth, and the elderly.
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THE MINNIE T. METTERS WRITING CLINIC
ESTABLISHED – 1986
DIRECTOR: LANA REESE
PHONE: 713-313-7981
GOALS:
The Writing Clinic, provides Computer-Assisted Instruction (CAI) and Traditional Instruction (TI) in writing skills—
sentence structure, grammar, usage, mechanics, and basic organization and development of compositions. The
Clinic’s primary objective is to assist students in becoming responsible writers who can organize and correct their
own errors and apply composition principles and concepts to their writing assignments. The Clinic is developing a
databank of information on student performance. The Writing Clinic is NOT a proofreading, editing, correcting, quickfix service and does not assist in preparation of specific class assignments on which the student will receive grades.
When students have questions or concerns about specific class assignments, they are encouraged to arrange a
conference with their classroom instructors. Students can call the Grammar Hotline (713-313-7981), if they have a
question concerning grammar and composition. In addition to CAI and TI, students may view videos or CDs or listen
to audio cassettes on both composition and literature.
PROJECTS: Measuring Student Progress in Compositional Essay Writing and Web-based learning.
INNOVATIVE TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH INSTITUTE
EST., 2000
DIRECTOR: DR. LEI YU
PHONE: 713-313-7282
GOALS:
The Innovative Transportation Research Institute (ITRI) at Texas Southern University was developed in the fall of
2006 by expanding the former Urban Traffic and Air Quality Lab (UTAQL), which was first established in 2000 and
has already achieved extensive accomplishments. By utilizing advanced technologies, large scale computer
simulation methods, complex modeling systems, and state-of-the-art lab equipments, ITRI attempts to develop,
evaluate, optimize, and recommend comprehensive strategies for traffic congestion mitigation, urban
transportation planning, ITS development, mobile source emission reduction, and fuel consumption saving. ITRI
conducts research through five designated research centers: Center for Modeling and Simulation (CMS), Center
for Air Quality Analysis (CAQA), Center for ITS (CITS), Center for Driver Behavior (CDB), and Center for Training
and Technology Transfer (CT3). ITRI has developed state-of-the-art lab facilities including: mobile traffic van, fullmotion driving simulator, real-time traffic surveillance system through Houston TranStar, portable emission
measurement systems, and a variety of other equipment.
PROJECTS: ITRI and its predecessor UTAQL have conducted projects for Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), National
Institute of Standards and Technologies (NIST), Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Texas Department of
Transportation (TxDOT), Houston Advanced Research Center (HARC), Southwest Region University
Transportation Center (SWUTC), etc. Examples of completed projects include: Development of Left-Turn
Operations Guidelines at Signalized Intersections (TxDOT), Symbols and Warrants for Major Traffic Generator
Guide Signing (TxDOT), Vehicle Infrastructure Integration (VII) Based Road-Condition Warning System For
Highway Collision Prevention (SWUTC), Computer Simulation-Based Algorithm For Optimizing Evacuation Plans
In Major Trip Generator (SWUTC), Left-Turn Lane Design and Operation (TxDOT), Using GPS and ITS Data to
Calibrate the Micro Simulation Model VISSIM (SWUTC), ITS Data Compression by Using Advanced Signal
Processing Techniques (SWUTC), Collection and Evaluation of On-Road Vehicle Emission Data and Activity Data
(HARC), Measurement and Evaluation of On-Road Vehicle Emissions at Signalized Intersections (SWUTC), How
do Changes in Goods Movements Impact Disadvantaged Population (FHWA), Evaluation of Highway Safety
Improvement Projects (FHWA), Probability Generation of Frequency and Severity of Nonrecurring Congestion due
to Accidents to Improve Emissions Analysis (TxDOT), Evaluation and Combined Use of TRANSYT-7F and
CORSIM in Traffic Signal Optimization and Simulation (SWUTC), Synthesis Report on Changeable Message
Signs that Depict Symbols and Words (FHWA), Pavement Smoothness Strategies (FHWA), Yellow and Red
Intervals to Improve Signal Timing Plans for Left-Turn Movement (TxDOT), Airport-Related Traffic and Mobile
Emission Implications (TxDOT), Using Real-Time Traffic Data for Transportation Planning (TxDOT), Forecasting
Traffic Characteristics for Air Quality Analyses (TxDOT ), Electronic Energy Storage and Future Transportation
(NIST), Using ITS Technology to Improve Highway-Rail Crossing Safety (FHWA), Transportation Expertise Pool
(FHWA), Collection and Evaluation of Modal Traffic Data for Determination of On-Road Vehicle Emission Rates
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Under Certain Driving Conditions (TxDOT and FHWA), Evaluation of Traffic Simulation Models for Supporting ITS
Development (SWUTC).
CENTER FOR TRANSPORTATION TRAINING AND RESEARCH
ESTABLISHED – 1983
DIRECTOR: DR. CAROL LEWIS
PHONE: 713-313-1925
GOALS:
To provide an interdisciplinary cadre of professionals that serve as a focal point to advance the transportation industry
and its functioning in urban and rural environments that add to the body of knowledge through research, by providing
an experiential laboratory for students and by facilitating critical dialog about transportation issues.
PROJECTS:
Active projects in air quality, transit oriented development, noise compatible land use planning, transportation policy,
intelligent transportation systems, freight and logistics, emergency evacuation and security and sustainable
transportation initiatives as well as research by graduate students, resulting in state-of-the-art knowledge and projects
at the forefront of the transportation field. CTTR annually hosts the Houston National Summer Transportation Institute
for secondary students to expose them to transportation as a viable career option. Included in CTTR’s programs, is the
3D Traffic Simulation Demonstration Lab which provides 3-dimensional traffic simulation demonstrations and
workshops for transportation graduate students and in-service professionals. CTTR is a member of the Southwest
Region University Transportation Center – a consortium with Texas A&M University and the University of Texas and is
a regional partner with the Texas Transportation Institute.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER CENTER
EST., 1991
DIRECTOR: DR. BOBBY WILSON
PHONE: 713-313-4259
GOALS:
To address training, research problems, and technology transfer issues as they relate to the environment; by
increasing the number of under-represented minority graduates in science, mathematics, engineering, and
technology.
PROJECTS: ERT2C projects focus on analysis of toxic elements and compounds in a closed environment, trace metals in
soil, soil sediments, air and wastewater processes, wastewater contaminants, and environmental policy and
law. The Core Analytical Facility is an important component of the center. The Core’s mission is to achieve
regional, community, and national recognition as a quality environmental analytical laboratory and
environmental research program. This Mission will be achieved through the characterization of
environmental toxicants in the ambient environment (air, soil, and/or water) and the investigation of the
mechanisms involved in the toxicity effect. The facility is equipped with Chromatographic Equipment: Gas
Chromatography: 2 -Agilent 6890 Gas Chromatographs with 5973 MS; GC accessories: Entech 7100 Preconcentrator for air monitoring with 32 6L Silonite Canisters, Tekmar Doarman- Velocity XPT Purge and Trap.
Liquid Chromatographs: Dionex DX-600 Ion Chromatograph, Agilent 1100 High Performance Liquid
Chromatograph w/ (MS). Spectrophotometric Equipment: Agilent 7500 Inductively Coupled Plasma w/ Mass
Spectrometry (MS), Thermo Electron Nexus 470 FTIR with a 10-meter gas cell, Graphite Furnace Atomic
Absorption Spectrometer: Perkin Elmer. Miscellaneous Equipment: Glove Box, Dionex Accelerated Extraction
System.
The following projects are ongoing:
1. Identification and Quantification of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in the Urban Atmosphere of
Houston, Texas
2. Public Drinking Water Study in the Greater Houston Area
3. Assessment of Aquatic Environmental Estrogens in the Lower Galveston Bay Watershed
4. Study of Oxidative Stress Biomarkers caused by Space Travel
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NASA UNIVERSITY RESEARCH FOR BIOTECHNOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTALHEALTH
EST., 2003
DIRECTOR: DR. OLUFISAYO JEJELOWO
PHONE 713-313- 7841
Goals:
The NASA URC goals and objectives focus on research and technology development and demonstration for
ensuring the health, habitation, safety and effectiveness of crews in and beyond low Earth orbit. The URC
genotoxicology group supports life science areas that will enable human space exploration by: (1) expanding
biomedical knowledge and developing tools to reduce the uncertainty of estimation of space radiation health
risks to human crews of acute and life-long carcinogenesis, brain and other tissue non-cancer damage, and
(2) providing new information in exploration biology, which will identify and define the scope of problems
which will face future human space explorers during long periods of exposure to space.
The URC microorganism group enables human exploration beyond low Earth orbit by (1) achieving a new
level of reliable and maintainable life support and environmental monitoring and control systems. Emphasis
will be to enhance reliability, maintainability, portability, and system distribution, and (2) ensuring that
essential human factors requirements are included early in the design of spacecrafts, transportation, and
habitation units in order to optimize the effectiveness of the crew.
Developing standards and countermeasures to optimize crew health, safety, and productivity is the catalyst
for the URC research focus of identifying microorganisms and antimicrobial materials to optimize the
spacecraft environment for space travel. The URC microorganism group seeks to learn how to identify and
protect space travelers from the toxic effects of bacterial, viral, and fungal organisms. A second research
focus is the genotoxicology studies to investigate the effects of toxic agents on biological systems in the
space flight environment. These studies use technologies and approaches that examine the basic structure of
the gene, changes in gene expression, detection of DNA damage and repair, the uses of genetic information
in nanotechnology applications, and computational modeling approaches to elucidate cellular mechanism of
microgravity induced stress. These genotoxic studies support the goals that are designed to address the
fundamental role of gravity and cosmic radiation on vital biological, physical, and chemical systems in space;
and to explore new technologies designed to identify and mediate the toxic components of space travel.
The final URC objective is to improve the recruitment, and increase the rate of retention and graduation of
minority students in undergraduate and graduate STEM programs. The URC approaches this overall
objective through three programmatic thrusts: 1) upgrading the research infrastructure 2) recruiting and
retaining high achieving students, and 3) faculty development.
Projects: “Identification of Major Space Genes”: This project is identifying major genes and major cellular pathways that
are altered by microgravity. Jade Clement, MD/PH.D., Principal Investigator
“Utilization of Antimicrobial Natural Products for Management of Microorganisms in Space Life Support
System”: This project is investigating the possibility of embedding natural antimicrobial chemicals into materials
and fabrics, including membrane and filter materials for water purification, to prevent the growth of
microorganisms. Molecular modeling will be used to enhance the selectivity and potency of the natural
products. Mahmoud Saleh, Ph.D., Principal Investigator
“Management of Microorganisms in a Closed Environment”: This project focuses on yeast cells as a model
for nanotechnology and functional genomic studies. Information gained will be used to devise methods to
identify and manage microorganisms in the space travel environment. Olufisayo Jejelowo, Ph.D., Principal
Investigator
“The Effect of Radiation and Microgravity on the DNA Repair Capacity of Lymphocytes”: This project uses the
host-cell reactivation assay to determine the effects of radiation on DNA repair capacity in both G1 and
microgravity environments. James DuMond, Ph.D., Principal Investigator
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TEXAS INSTITUTE FOR INTELLIGENT BIO-NANO MATERIALS AND
STRUCTURES FOR AEROSPACE VEHICLES
ESTABLISHED DATE: AUGUST 2002
DIRECTOR(S): DR. OLUFISAYO JEJELOWO
PHONE: 713-313-7841
NASA through the Texas Institute of Intelligent Bio-Nano Materials and Structures for Aerospace Vehicles (TiiMS) is
bringing together some of the top researchers in Texas and the world — including a Nobel laureate and several members
of the National Academies — in biotechnology, nanotechnology, biomaterials and aerospace engineering to develop the
next generation of bio-nano materials and structures for aerospace vehicles.
TiiMS was one of only seven University Research, Engineering and Technology Institutes chosen throughout the United
States. TiiMS universities are Texas Southern University, Texas A. M University, Prairie View A&M University, Rice
University, the University of Houston and the University of Texas at Arlington.
Birds have long been the inspiration for aircraft, but modern, man-made aerospace vehicles seem primitive compared to
Mother Nature's flying creatures. To be more like birds, the next generation of aerospace vehicles requires ultralight,
ultrastrong composite materials that are multifunctional, with features such as computing and sensing capabilities
engineered directly into them. And that’s what TiiMS is aiming for RESEARCH
TiiMS will integrate basic research across the family of disciplines, leading to proof-of-concept experiments that will
enable reconfigurable wings and adaptive space structures that embody concepts for advanced autonomous intelligent
systems. Through a sequence of experiments of increasing sophistication, the nano materials, sensing, actuation, and
structures technology will be developed and demonstrated for a new generation of air and space vehicles. The five
research thrusts:
 Functionalized Nanomaterials
 Multifunctional Material Systems
 Multiscale Modeling
 Biomaterials and Devices
 Intelligent Systems
PROJECTS AT TSU:
PI: Olufisayo Jejelowo, Ph.D.
Biomaterials and Devices Thrust Biochemical Sensors Unit
Develop Biochemical Sensors for Life Detection and for Monitoring Microgravity and Radiation Effects.
To enable/enhance autonomous environmental monitoring and control.
Contact Information
Olufisayo Jejelowo
TSU Department of Biology
713-313-7841
jejelowo_oa@tsu.edu
PI: Jade Clement, M.D., Ph.D.
Biomaterials and Devices Thrust Biochemical Sensors Unit
Study Toxicity of Carbon Nanotubes and Functionalized Nanomaterials
Contact Information
Jade Q. Clement
TSU Department of Chemistry
713-313-1044
clement_jq@tsu.edu
For additional Information visit the TiiMS web site at http://tiims.tamu.edu/participants.html
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CENTER FOR CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES
ESTABLISHED – 1999
DIRECTOR: DR. ADEBAYO OYEKAN
PHONE: 713-313-4258
GOALS:
To expand and strengthen the University’s biomedical research capabilities in order that
significant contributions may be made to the improvement of the cardiovascular health status of all
Americans, especially African Americans. The Center serves as the hub of research activities on
cardiovascular diseases and houses faculty, graduate students and research personnel. The Center also
provides intensive laboratory training experiences for both graduate students and undergraduates and serves
as a site for structured and supportive faculty development.
PROJECTS: Nitric oxide/cytochrome P450 interactions in the control of renal function and blood pressure,
peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (alpha and gamma) in the pathogenesis of hypertension and renal
failure, cyclooxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid and cerebral flow in subarachnoid hemorrhage
(stroke) and diabetes mellitus.
CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN HEALTH DISPARITIES RESEARCH:
CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE & STROKE
ESTABLISHED – 2004
DIRECTOR: DR. ADEBAYO OYEKA
PHONE: 713-313-7156
GOALS: To develop and implement a strong minority/majority institutional collaboration to address training
and research development for minority investigators interested in health disparities research related to
cardiovascular disease and stroke. To partner TSU with Baylor College of Medicine, Medical College of
South Carolina, and St. Luke's Episcopal Health System to create a collaborative research infrastructure that
will increase research capacity and help build a comprehensive infrastructure for health disparities research
in the Texas Medical Center. To develop a "Best Practices" model for building research infrastructure and
capacity to support health disparities research by, with, and for those that are disproportionately affected by
health disparities.
PROJECTS: The Administrative Core directs the Center of Excellence in Health Disparities Research
(CEHDR), selects CEHDR Faculty Fellows, and supervises the evaluation of all CEHDR activities, budgets
and reports. The Training Core uses on-site and off-site training to recruit, support, and mentor junior minority
investigators in the areas of research design, development and implementation, with emphasis on analysis of
racial and cultural factors related to health disparities research. The Community Outreach and Dissemination
Core a) develops and disseminates culturally appropriate health information, b) encourages and equips
community-based organizations and community residents disproportionately affected by health disparities to
participate in clinical studies and evidence-base prevention and intervention activities, and c) sponsors
educational outreach activities and seminars. The Research Core pairs CEHDR Faculty Fellows with
seasoned investigators to facilitate the development of pilot research projects and ongoing research
proposals that address racial disparities in health.
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INSTITUTE FOR BIOMEDICAL AND HEALTH DISPARITIES RESEARCH
EST., 1986
DIRECTOR: DR. BARBARA HAYES
PHONE: 713-313-7380
GOALS:
PROJECTS:
To develop an institutional research infrastructure that will enable faculty to engage in investigations of
diseases or conditions, which have a higher incidence of morbidity and mortality in minority populations.
Core facility development in: molecular biology and tissue engineering; biosensor and biomarker
technology; computational research; proteomics and genomics; and student development. Recruitment of
biomedical research faculty and their development is another goal of the project. The Institute is supported
by a grant from the National Institutes of Health, National Center of Research Resources, Research
Centers in Minority Institutions Program.
BIOSENSOR AND BIOMARKER TECHNOLOGY
EST., 1991, EXP., 1999 AND 2004
DIRECTOR: DR. MAHMOUD A. SALEH
PHONE: 713-313-1912
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: DR. XIN WEI
PHONE: 713-313-1911/7013
SUPPORT: NIH / NCRR/ RCMI PROGRAM
The Facility provides technical and resource support as well as hands-on-training in molecular and biochemical
techniques for environmental and biomedical investigators. The main objectives of the BBT are to provide essential
research infrastructure to: 1) meet anticipated investigators’ needs for sophisticated techniques in advanced biomedical
study; 2) improve the research capabilities and competitiveness of TSU faculty investigators; and 3) strengthen the
Environmental Toxicology Program and the related study in areas of biosensor and biomarker technologies. BBT
provides analytical methods for determining biomarkers and environmental contaminants. It also provides services such
as the isolation of proteins/toxicant adducts and characterization of biomarkers of exposure. The research work has been
focused on environmental contaminants in Lake Houston, Galveston Bay, and the Houston Ship Channel. The current
research foci of the faculty investigators are: (1) Cellular and Molecular Environmental Toxicology (molecular and cellular
mechanisms of gene regulation under various conditions of environmental stress); (2) Molecular Mechanisms for Initiation
of Cancer by Occupational and Environmental Endocrine Disruptors (the role of estrogen in the initiation of cancer); (3)
Molecular Mechanism(s) of Metal Toxicity (study of low-level exposure to metal mixtures that alters brain-signaling
mechanisms); (4) Brain Toxicants in Neural Injury and Degeneration (effects of environmental toxicants and ionizing
radiation on brain cells and risk assessment by markers of neuronal injury and degeneration); and (5) Biocomposite
Materials and Biosensing Technology (interdisciplinary material study of functional composites consisted of bioactive
species and synthetic polymers). The BBT Core is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, including multiple pieces of gas
chromatography, HPLC and GC-MS, electrophoresis, protein sequencers, freeze dryers, optical and electron
microscopes, FT-IR, UV-Vis and fluorescence spectrophotometers, comprehensive electrochemical workstations,
modulated differential scanning calorimeter, dynamic mechanical thermal analyzer and tensile tester.
COMPUTATIONAL RESEARCH LABORATORY
EST., 2004
DIRECTOR: DR. CHRISTOPHER TYMCZAK
PHONE: 713-313-1849
AISSISTANT DIRECTOR: DR. RAMBIS CHU
PHONE: 713-313-7919
SUPPORT: NIH / NCRR/ RCMI PROGRAM
The Computational Research Laboratory (CRL) provides support for the training of informatics scientists to enable them
to perform research and to apply informatics to any area of biomedical research, including basic biomedical research,
clinical medicine, health services research, public health, professional education, and administration. This core facility
enhances the data mining and data visualization capabilities of TSU faculty and students, manages and shares
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biomedical research related data sets, and promotes collaboration among RCMI and non-RCMI investigators engaged in
biomedical and health disparities research through seminars and the development and use of a collaborative
computations-based research network. The CRL currently applies information technology to enable the collection,
manipulation, and organization of massive data sets for biomedical and health disparities research. The CRL is also
developing new computer software to process that data and is developing better mathematical models and simulations to
make predictions that may replace and/or improve experiments. These tasks necessitate the use of extensive computing
capabilities which have required the acquisition of state-of-the-art computer hardware and software components.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TISSUE ENGINEERING CORE FACILITY
EST., 1996, EXP., 1999 AND 2004
DIRECTOR: DR. KASTURI RANGANNA
PHONE: 713-313-1886/7554
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: AMRUTHESH SHIVACHAR PHONE: 713-313-1886/7554
SUPPORT: NIH / NCRR/ RCMI PROGRAM
The MBTE facility consists of two components: Molecular Biology (MB) and Tissue Engineering (TE) component and is
established in the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (COPHS) at Texas Southern University. The facility
provides molecular, cellular and tissue engineering research infrastructure to support biomedical research activities.
The core facility resources facilitate the conducting of advanced biomedical research that assists in unraveling many
basic questions related to health disparities such as vascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, and neurological disorders,
which disproportionately affect African Americans. The facility supports state-of-the-art biomedical research and is
equipped with multipurpose imaging system, fluorescence microscope, flow cytometer and bioreactors
PROTEOMICS AND FUNCTIONAL GENOMICS CORE FACILITY (RCMI)
EST., 2004
DIRECTOR: DR. JAMES W. DUMOND
PHONE: 713-313-7095
SUPPORT: NIH / NCRR/ RCMI PROGRAM
The major goals of the Genomics and Proteomics facility at Texas Southern University is to provide the
physical and human infrastructure to support research in the fields of genomics and proteomics, and to link to
the bioinformatics and computational core. The facility maximizes opportunities for communications and
collaboration among the many departments and disciplines at TSU and between TSU scientists and their
colleagues’ institutions at the Texas Medical Center. The facility will develop a graduate research and training
program that responds to current and future needs of the field. This involves continued creation of course
materials for the current curriculum as well as specialized courses, training sessions and hands-on
workshops. In addition, the facility will sponsor monthly in-house seminars and an annual symposium.
Furthermore, the scientists affiliated with the facility are committed to developing and applying cutting-edge
technologies that will benefit human and social endeavors. Proteomics and Genomics core will provide
several service and research resources, such as DNA microarray using chip technology, DNA sequencing,
Real Time PCR, Peptide Synthesis, 2-D Proteomics analysis.
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ROBOTICS LABORATORY
ESTABLISHED: 2005
DIRECTOR: DR. SEYED ROOSTA
PHONE: 713-313-7903
GOALS:
To offer opportunities for interdisciplinary studies and research in technology and science,
leading to innovative projects that address the problems in embedded systems, robotics, flexible
manufacturing systems, computer aided-design and manufacturing.
PROJECTS:
The Robotics Laboratory provides support for training and research in science and
technology. This facility will develop a graduate research and training program that responds to the current
and future needs of the computer science area, such as industrial robotics and computer-aided design and
manufacturing. Some of the projects associated with this facility are: Robot Programming, Path Planning, AirTraffic Control Systems, Battle-Mission Systems and Virtual Networked Environment. Furthermore, the
faculty affiliated with the facility are committed to develop and apply cutting-edge technologies that will benefit
students. Some of the potentials associated with this facility are: integration of robotics in Artificial
Intelligence, integration of industries and science, such as Flexible Manufacturing Systems and Computer
Aided-Design and Manufacturing.
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