Savannah State University research professors have been awarded two grants from the National Science Foundation totaling more than $475,000. These grants include funding for student researchers.

Takayuki Nitta, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology, focuses his research in virology. This grant will investigate viral replication and how resistant cells adapt to invading viruses. He will also research certain virus patterns that can counteract immunity by mimicking healthy cells. Entitled “Mechanisms of Interaction of Glyco-gag with Restriction Factors, the research aims to advance understanding in the fields of genetics, virology and cell biology. It is funded for $299,961 and will run through March 2021.

Adhinandan Chowdhury, Ph.D., assistant professor of mathematics, is looking to solve a common problem in fluid thermodynamics by applying predictive mathematics. Various materials conduct heat differently. Particulate material, like suspended particles in fluid, conducts heat erratically. Using random point approximations, differential equations and the basis of Maxwell’s formula, the outcome will improve design and function in mechanical processes that require heat transfer and fluid flow. It is funded for $175,079 and will run through March 2020.

SSU supports academic research across all fields and provides guidance for principal investigators through the Office of Sponsored Research. SSU is currently executing more than $27 million in active grants.