Three professors at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University have been awarded the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) Medtronic Research & Development Program Award. This program aims to support innovation and research in STEM, medical technology, and business at historically Black colleges and universities. The professors, Laquanda Johnson, Stephen Knisley, and Ali Salman, will each receive a grant of $40,000 to fund their respective projects.

Johnson, an associate professor of supply chain management, plans to use her grant to fund the Collegiate Underrepresented Business and Engineering Drone Training Intensive Program. This eight-week virtual drone camp will provide undergraduate students with the necessary skills and knowledge to obtain their FAA remote pilot certification. The grant will cover research costs, travel expenses, and exam fees for the students. Johnson hopes to secure additional funding to support the students in achieving further certifications in drone technology.

Knisley, a professor of chemical biological and bioengineering, will utilize his grant to fund the National Institutes of Health Houston Shadowing Program. This initiative will allow junior-level students in the bio-engineering program to shadow doctors at a hospital in Houston during the summer of 2024. The students will observe medical procedures and gain valuable experience to prepare them for their senior design course.

These projects highlight the commitment of N.C. A&T professors to provide innovative academic support and enhance academic-related innovation in STEM, medical technology, and business fields. By receiving the TMCF Medtronic Research & Development Program Award, these professors have the opportunity to make significant contributions to their respective fields and provide valuable experiences for their students.